Project Leader:    
Ben Koop

Lead Institution:    
University of Victoria

Research Funding Program:    
SOF 1

The Sablefish Genomics project aims to develop a preliminary suite of genomic tools that can provide important information for both aquaculture and management of wild fish stocks.

The sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbrae) industry is a $300 million a year industry in North America and an important fish stock for British Columbia. Wild stocks are decreasing while commercial demand is rapidly increasing. There is a need to establish successful sablefish aquaculture as well as genetic tools for better management of wild fish stocks. The lack of knowledge regarding their migration patterns and reproductive success, genetics and population structure has raised concerns about their development as a sustainable fishery, or as a new aquaculture resource.  

The identification and characterization of genetic variation in sablefish will allow for efficient identification of individuals for monitoring wild stocks as well as for selective breeding programs for aquaculture. In addition, the population dynamics of wild sablefish can be determined by looking at population structure, migration patterns and growth characteristics that will be essential for application in a stable aquaculture industry.

Genetic markers such as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and microsatellite markers have not yet been characterized in sablefish but can greatly contribute to the conservation and management of wild stocks as well as broodstock selection for aquaculture. Genetic identification of individuals allows aquaculture populations to be followed and adult breeding pairs to be selected based on heritable characteristics such as egg quality, juvenile survival and other productive traits. The knowledge of informative genetic markers is an efficient way to breed fish for traits amenable to the aquaculture industry.

The preliminary characterization of genetic markers in sablefish will lead to the development of genomic tools for general gene expression analysis. This will allow fisheries to specifically select for genes that are associated with growth, reproductive success and traits that will help make sablefish aquaculture a sustainable and profitable industry for British Columbia.