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Developing culture species Identification of new species for culture, e.g. cod and seaweeds as well as selective breeding of existing cultured species for novel and disease resistant hybrids. Within this the application of genomics and recombinant DNA technologies has facilitated selective breeding for economically important traits188. In addition to improvements to the culture of existing domesticated species, genomic knowledge is also being used to identify possible new species for culture. Through the application of genomics an improved understanding of the life cycle, nutritional requirements and, critically, pathogen susceptibilities of these species can be gained. Key products are seed and eggs of existing and new species that are viable for culture and disease resistant strains. Enhanced selective breeding Polyploidy, in which treatments result in individual animals with extra sets of chromosomes, is a technology that creates animals with faster growth, improvement of hybrid viability through gynogenesis to fix desirable genetic traits, sex control, and sterile organisms. These techniques allow for the production of sterile animals that can have benefits both in allowing higher stocking densities and in those sterile animals avoid issues associated with the maturation of diploid animals wherein maturing animals can become aggressive, stop growing, lose condition and become more susceptible to disease189, affecting both production efficiencies and marketability. While there are many advantages to polyploidy, some drawbacks have been identified as polyploidy can decrease performance for some traits. In oysters for example it has been suggested that while triploidy can enhance growth it may also reduce resistance to some key diseases. Key products from this subsector are shellfish seed and fish eggs. Developing methods to diagnose and treat disease The growth in aquaculture and intensification of production has been accompanied with an increase in diseases caused by bacterial, viral, fungal and parasitic infections. Disease in aquaculture can result in significant economic impacts (e.g. oysters in France) and also affects animal welfare. New vaccines and molecular-based diagnostics have been developed through the application of marine biotechnology. These have helped to improve animal welfare, increase fish production and reduce the use of antibiotics190. In addition, genome techniques have been used in selective breeding programmes, either for selection of specific pathogen-free (SPF) or specific pathogen resistant (SPR) strains. For example DNA markers have been applied in aquaculture breeding for direct and highly accurate selection of infectious pancreatic necrosis (IPN) resistant fish191. Reducing the use of antibiotics is significant both because of the potential human health issues associated with antibiotics and the emergence of resistances to antibiotics in farmed animals. In Norway for example, over 90% of farmed salmon are produced without the use of antibiotics. For viral diseases, avoidance of the pathogen is critical. Techniques developed through marine biotechnology, such as gene probes and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests are showing promise as methods for the rapid detection of pathogens in the culture environment. Transgenic approaches Transgenic technology focuses on genetic modification and has been applied to a number of fish species in recent years, although mostly for research. The aim of the technology is to introduce new traits or enhance existing traits. Investigations to date have been limited but potential areas of interest include disease resistance, temperature tolerance, modification of metabolic pathways 188 OECD (2013) Marine biotechnology: enabling solutions for ocean productivity and sustainability. Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development 116p 190 e.g. Bostock, J., Murray, F., Muir, J., Telfer, T., Lane, A., Papanikos, N., Papegeorgiou, P. and Alday-Sanz, V. (2009) European aquaculture competitiveness: limitations and possible strategies. Report prepared for the European Parliament’s Committee on Fisheries 191 Aquagen (2010). QTL-rogn - dokumentert IPN-beskyttelse fra første dag. In: AquaGen Kunnskapsbrev. No.1. 189 Bostock, J., McAndrew, B., Richards, R., Jauncey, K., Telfer, T., Lorenzen, K., Little, D., Ross, L., Handisyde, N., Gatward, I. and Corner, R. (2010) Aquaculture: global status and trends. Phiospohical Transactions of the Royal Society B. 365: 28972912 148 Study in support of Impact Assessment work on Blue Biotechnology

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