Genetic and physiological basis of growth, survival and reproduction in Chinook salmon: applications for aquaculture

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The primary objective of the proposed research is to develop and evaluate high and low performance strains of Chinook salmon for direct or hybrid use in the Organic Salmon Aquaculture industry on the west coast of Canada. The strains and hybrids must therefore not only have high growth and reproductive performance, they must also have exceptional disease resistance, because theraputant use is not possible. We will address our objective with 4 broad goals; 1) use the existing selected high and low survival lines of Chinook salmon at our Industrial partner's (Yellow Island Aquaculture Ltd.; YIAL) facility to carry out a quantitative genetic breeding experiment, 2) evaluate the status of the previously-developed performance genetic markers in the YIAL selected lines as well as in the offspring from the quantitative genetic breeding experiment, 3) measure life-stage specific performance (e.g. survival, growth) in the offspring from the breeding experiment, and 4) determine the genetic basis of performance traits and estimate genetic correlations among traits. Since we will follow individual offspring from 100 family groups using Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tag technology, we will be able to determine the heritability for specific traits of value to aquaculture and other genetic parameters that may add performance to the lines. The potential for commercial marketing of this research is good, both within Canada and for export. The proposed research will not only provide an opportunity for the academic partners to collaborate with the Canadian aquaculture industry, it will generate applied and basic science, highly trained students and scientific publications.