Principles of Genetics and Breeding

1.1.4 Application of genetics in fisheries

Genetics has now acquired an important place in fisheries. There is a growing interest in recent years on the applied aspects of cytogenetics and biochemical, quantitative and molecular genetics, genetics and biotechnology. Current genetic research in fisheries has focused two broad areas.

• production of high yielding strains of farmed fishes by genetic means,
  
• development of the genetic knowledge needed for the management of natural populations.
  

“Fish Genetics” may be defined as a branch of fisheries science that deals with the application of genetic principles and methods to enhance aquaculture productivity by genetically modifying fish stocks and for the management of fish populations to obtain maximum sustainable benefit without affecting genetic diversity .