A new working paper from WorldFish argues that the availability of genetically more productive fish stock “must progress hand in hand” with refinements in the production systems in which the fish will reared and marketed.

The authors indicate there is much “documented evidence about the success of selective breeding in several species,” however they argue these gains will “have no impact on farmers unless the progeny from improved strains reach the production system in a state that makes them capable of prospering during the grow-out period until they reach market weight.”

The major challenge addressed in this paper is not just to achieve genetic change in a fish population but to achieve effective multiplication and dissemination of the resulting improved strain. This requires that people and the ways they operate are influenced. “Assuming that because we have an improved strain, hatchery managers will effectively multiply it and disseminate it, and that farmers will adopt it, is unrealistic.”

More information and download the paper