Acronym NA
Category
Marine Biotechnology
Title VIRGIN salmon - a sustainable solution for coexistence but not mixing of farmed and wild salmon strains Programme National Programme
Instrument (FP6)
Contact Type (FP7)
Strand (Interreg)
NA
Theme (FP7)
Activity Area (FP6)
Regional Area (Interreg)
Action (COST)
NA
Specific Programme (FP7)
NA
Funding source National Coordinator Anna Troedsson-Wargelius Coordinator email NA
Coordinator institution
IMR - Institute of Marine Research (Norway)
Institutions involved
NA
Start year 2017 End year 2021 Funding (€) € 810,526 Website https://prosjektbanken.forskningsradet.no/en/project/FORISS/267478?Kilde=FORISS&distribution=Ar&chart=bar&calcType=funding&Sprak=no&sortBy=date&sortOrder=desc&resultCount=30&offset=90&ProgAkt.3=BIOTEK2021-Bioteknologi%20for%20verdiskaping&source=FORISS&projectId=271368 Summary Salmon farming is a key industry in Norway, with first hand value above forty billion NOK per year.The salmon industry is a major driving force for biotechnological applications in the marine sector. One major bottleneck in the salmon farming industry is the genetic impact of escaped farmed salmon on wild populations. To solve this problem, the industry can use sterile salmon in production. Sterile salmon are currently produced by triploidisation of salmon embryos. However, triploid salmon are generally more sensitive to suboptimal rearing environments making them prone to deformities. Therefore the Norwegian Food authorities has in some cases been very Critical to this Production Method. As previously shown by our research group, we can make sterile salmon by preventing formation of germ cells. The VIRGIN salmon idea presented here describes our strategy to rescue broodstock fish from losing their germ cells, while ensuring that these broodstock fish produce 100% sterile offspring. This approach solves the problems with genetic introgression, precocious maturation and ensures a stable production of genetic breeds, and thus represents a significant commercial potential. Since these sterile salmon are produced by targeted editing of their genome, they are currently considered a genetically modified organism (GMO). and are thus banned from food production in Norway. In some countries like Sweeden, the definition of GMO has been revised and fish subject to the type of Genetic editing described in this Project would not be considered GMO. The commercial potential in developing a new method for production of sterile salmon is large as it will solve some of the major challenges in salmon farming. Breeding companies are demanding improved methods for production of sterile salmon and are potential customers. Licensing or sales of IPR are realistic business models. The Norwegian salmon farming industry may have annual savings for more than 1 billion NOK.
Keywords
Germ cell-free animals;
Genetic;
Escapes;
Salmon;
Fish;
Environmental impact;
Marine Region
76
Not associated to marine areas
0
Marine Region Map
