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Aquaculture genetics consortium set to tackle industry challenges
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Antonio Garza de Yta WAS 2.0
irst of all, I would like to start this column by welcoming Patricio Augusto Garza Ribera, who has arrived weighing 3.820 kg and measuring 54 cm. Both the mother and he are wonderful and have made us the happiest parents in the world. As all of you who have been parents know, there is nothing in this world that gives you such a clear perspective of the true priorities in life that seeing your child born. Seldom can you put your whole life on a scale and experience such a lucid moment. Within this journey of introspection, a friend in the industry came to visit me and asked me what I wanted for the World Aquaculture Society (WAS), or what I expected in the event that the membership distinguished me with the honour of being elected as president. What do I expect? Very simple ... evolve. I know you may have heard this word from my lips on countless occasions, but I think that is what best summarises my goals: Let’s go for the WAS 2.0 But what do I mean? The WAS, today, is formed by around 3,000 members of the more than 18 million dedicated to aquaculture worldwide. I do not believe that 0.017 percent is a number that actually represents the sector. Nor is it possible that more than 50 percent of the members are from the United States of America. It’s like having a “World Series” in a league where only two countries play. Does this sound familiar? The WAS cannot continue to revolve around the United States; if it really wants to be global, most of its members must be in Asia. In addition, the board should be better distributed and should look for ways to have greater representation of the areas. Also, anyone should be able to agree to lead it and not go through a pedigree verification process. It is true, Latin America is also overrepresented, but I believe that in many countries, including Mexico and Brazil, we have already seen the advantages of having a global platform and exchange of science and technology. Because the WAS will not be many things, but it is the best platform that currently exists worldwide for the exchange of experiences and ideas, and for the formation of a network of contacts that allows all aquaculture professionals to advance more quickly and clearly about the goals of their careers. This platform should serve as the foundation to build a true World Society. In addition to finding ways to include the largest number of possible aquaculturists in the world, perhaps not through direct membership, but of partnerships with groups worldwide where they are represented in the existing annual meetings and discuss the issues. The most relevant global ones that impact aquaculture and from there the topics from which the thematic papers on pro and defence of aquaculture could be published. The WAS has to be a tireless promoter of aquaculture and for this you also need a different way of seeing things. We have to take the step and separate the organisation from the Conferences of the Management of the Society. We must continue along the good path we have established, with respect to world events, but we also have to be represented at a world level by some professional with the ability to expose, defend and negotiate for society and its members at the highest level. These are some of the many actions that must be carried out in order for the WAS to evolve. Obviously, all of them imply change, and as we know, some sectors of American societies are reluctant to do so and would do whatever was necessary to prevent this from happening. But do not worry ... we will continue in the fight.
Antonio Garza de Yta, Ph.D in Aquaculture from Auburn University, President of Aquaculture Global Consulting, Director World Aquaculture Society and creator of the Certification for Aquaculture Professional (CAP) Program. He is currently Rector, Universidad Tecnológica del Mar de Tamaulipas Bicentenario. 8 | March 2019 - International Aquafeed
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major research collaboration between academic and industry scientists aims to boost selective breeding of stocks of vital UK aquaculture species. The £1.7 million AquaLeap initiative will focus on four key species that have substantial economic and environmental importance for the UK - the European lobster, European flat oyster, lumpfish and Atlantic salmon. University researchers will work closely with industry partners to identify sustainable solutions to current challenges facing aquaculture production, including significant diseases. The interdisciplinary consortium is led by the University of Edinburgh’s Roslin Institute in partnership with the Universities of Aberdeen, Exeter and Stirling, and the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas). The commercial partners are Hendrix Genetics BV, Xelect Ltd, The National Lobster Hatchery, Tethys Oysters Ltd, and Otter Ferry SeaFish Ltd. Teams will use cutting-edge genetic sequencing technologies to identify DNA markers that are linked to economically important traits, such as disease resistance or growth rate. This information will help develop and apply new tools to improve breeding programmes for these valuable species. Experts will also develop geneediting techniques to understand genes controlling resistance to diseases and explore possibilities of using this technology to speed up stock improvement. Professor Ross Houston of The Roslin Institute, said: “Well-managed programmes of domestication and breeding have a large and mostly untapped potential for improvement in aquaculture production. AquaLeap will focus on developing and applying genomic tools to selective breeding of several important aquaculture species.” AquaLeap is funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council and the Natural Environment Research Council under their targeted UK Aquaculture Initiative, with additional co-funding from the Scottish Aquaculture Innovation Centre.