Understanding Risks of Long-term Introgression From Salmon Aquaculture (SSA)
Lead Research Organisation:
University of East Anglia
Department Name: Graduate Office
Abstract
Aquaculture is identified as a key solution to satisfying increasing demands for animal protein from a growing human population. Farming fish is a relatively new form of domestication and, right now, we are at an early stage in its development, with ample opportunity to improve productivity and sustainability. Within aquaculture, salmon farming is a key player, with productivity surging since it started in 1979. Despite its great success, concerns exist about the sustainability and environmental impact of salmon farming. In this PhD project, you will research the reproductive potential of F1 hybrids between farm and wild salmon interbreeding, generating key data on long-term impacts of farm salmon escapes. These 'hybrid' fish could show reduced reproductive performance, allaying concerns about introgression, or they may have similar or even superior reproductive performance. The PhD will therefore conduct a full risk assessment of longer-term reproduction of farm x wild salmon hybrids, using both in vitro and in vivo assays of reproductive potential. The project will operate between UEA and collaborators at field sites in Norway and Scotland, conducting fertilisation experiments to measure the fitness of wild, farm and hybrid gametes, and recording and analysing spawning behaviour and performance of adult salmon.
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BB/M011216/1 | 01/10/2015 | 31/03/2024 | |||
| 2060566 | Studentship | BB/M011216/1 | 01/10/2018 | 30/09/2022 | Marco Graziano |
| Description | We are trying to furnish aquaculture companies and conservation management agencies the tools to reduce the fertility problems deriving from high inbreeding rates and/or use of "unnatural" fertilisation techniques in a species that has high environmental and economic value |
| Exploitation Route | I think that some of the discoveries that will be published at the end of this award will be able to directly affect salmon conservation and the aquaculture sector. Other research centres and conservation management bodies that have hactheries to produce and/or to reintroduce salmon in the wild might modify their farming strategies taking into account our studies, thus resulting in an economical improvement, reduction in fish mortality, and overall higher efficiency and sustainibiltiy. |
| Sectors | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Education,Environment,Other |
| Description | Research collaboration for genomic analyses with the Marine Institute in Bergen. Norway. |
| Organisation | Norwegian Institute of Marine Research |
| Country | Norway |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | With my in vitro fertilisation and Conputer-assisted-semen-analyses skills, I have been able to compare the genomic data obtained thanks to the collaboration with the Norwegian team, with the sperm behaviour ones, so to have a more complete view of the studied fertilisation dynamics. My benefit consisted in unifying their population genetic approach with reproductive biology and sexual selection knowledge that will results in several future peer reviewed publications. |
| Collaborator Contribution | During my PhD I have been collaborating with the Institute of Marine Research in Bergen, Norway. Specifically, members from the population genetics lab at the institute trained me and assisted me in performing genomic analyses of my samples. |
| Impact | Once published, the papers deriving from this collaboration might benefit both salmon conservation and aquaculture and will add knowledge in the field of sexual selective mechanisms in external fertilisers. |
| Start Year | 2018 |