New case study: driving innovation in aquaculture genetics

Developing genomics technologies in support of four species of importance to UK aquaculture

Genomics is revolutionising aquaculture by enabling selective breeding for traits such as disease resistance, faster growth, and resilience to environmental stress. These advances are vital for sustainable production of species like Atlantic salmon and for emerging industries such as European lobster and native oyster. Progress has been limited by knowledge gaps, lack of genetic tools, and industry expertise.

This project set out to develop genomic resources, improve breeding strategies, and address skill gaps. Its goals included creating reference genomes, identifying genetic markers for key traits, and exploring gene-editing techniques to tackle disease challenges.

Valued at £1,139,786, the partners were Roslin Institute, University of Aberdeen, University of Exeter, University of Stirling, Xelect Ltd, SAIC, Cefas, Hendrix Genetics, Otter Ferry Seafish Ltd, and National Lobster Hatchery. The funders were BBSRC, NERC and SAIC.

Key achievements:

• Reference genomes: completed for European lobster and European flat oyster, providing a foundation for research into growth, survival, and disease resistance.
• Genetic tools: developed panels to support selective breeding across all target species.
• Disease resistance: identified genomic regions linked to resistance in oysters and lumpfish, and advanced gene-editing methods in salmon to improve viral disease resilience.
• Training: workshops and knowledge exchange to build industry capacity in genetics and bioinformatics.

Species-specific highlights include:

• Lobster: genome sequencing revealed genes linked to longevity and robustness, informing hatchery practices.
• Oyster: insights support breeding for resistance to Bonamia, a major barrier to restocking efforts.
• Lumpfish: identified markers for growth and sex traits, aiding selective breeding for cleaner fish performance.
• Salmon: developed new tools for genomic selection and efficient gene-editing techniques.

By integrating cutting-edge science with practical breeding strategies, the project is helping UK aquaculture produce healthier, more resilient stock while reducing environmental impact. It lays the groundwork for long-term improvements in productivity and sustainability, supporting the growth of the UK aquaculture sector and ensuring high-quality seafood for future generations.

The full title of this project is ‘AquaLeap: Innovation in genetics and breeding to advance UK aquaculture production’

Read the case study