Biotechnology and Bioinformatics (1+1)

1.1.3.5. Fisheries Biotechnology

Biotechnology is also used in the fisheries field for increasing fish production through various techniques. Fisheries biotechnology can be broadly classified into aquaculture biotechnology, marine biotechnology, algal biotechnology and processing biotechnology.

Since 1980s, there has been a burst of biotechnology activity in research and development related to various fish species, in particular those used in aquaculture production. Biotechnology has played a major role in the areas of induction and control of

maturation and spawning, sex control (andro gene sis and gynogenesis), sex inversion in protandrous species like sea bass and protogynous species like the grouper, production of triploid, tetraploid and transgenic fishes. Traits that are being tested in fish species such as carp, trout, salmon and channel catfish include growth rates that are three to eleven times faster with more efficient feed utilisation, increased tolerance to cold water and improved disease resistance. Accelerated growth rates mean that fish reach marketable size sooner, thereby reducing overhead costs for fish farmers. In addition, researchers use the human interferon gene to improve disease resistance in carp, which could reduce the amount of antibiotic s needed to keep fish healthy and reduce the costs incurred from losses due to disease.

The first (and to date only) genetically engineered fish to be sold commercially is the fluorescent Glofish®, a zebra fish modified to glow red, which came onto the US market in 2004.

Other areas include disease diagnosis (molecular and immunodiagnostic kits), hybridoma technology, and management (probiotics, vaccines, immunostimulants), cell and tissue culture , conservation of germplasm (cryopreservation of fish gametes), extraction of bioactive substances from marine organisms including marine bacteria, marine algae, marine invertebrates and fishes.