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| About: AquaTrace takes advantage of cutting edge genetic and genomic analytical approaches to support aquaculture activity and management, as well as the protection of our marine and freshwater environments. This includes the development of forensically validated genetic tools for tracing the origin of farmed fish and to monitor genetic interactions between fish from aquaculture and their wild conspecifics. Additionally it aims at identifying the locations in fish genomes which are responsible for the physiological and life-history differences we observe between wild and cultured fish. Based on the scientific insights a risk assessment and management recommendations will be provided concerning the genetic impact of aquaculture fish on wild fish gene pools. The results and new insights emerging from AquaTrace could provide also very valuable support for the aquaculture industry, for example to guide breeding and domestication processes. Moreover AquaTrace pursues a strategy, including partnerships with related projects such as FishPopTrace (https://fishpoptrace.jrc.ec.europa.eu), which will lead to additional benefits for marine fisheries management, particularly genetic stock identification and assessment. All activities are designed such that they can contribute to Horizon 2020, the upcoming EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation and “Blue Growth” the EU long term strategy to support sustainable growth in the marine and maritime sectors. The AquaTrace consortium includes 22 partners from across Europe encompassing diverse expertise ranging from molecular genomics to practical fish breeding. Likewise, project partners include Universities, Governmental, EU and private research institutions as well as fish breeding companies and associations. For more information visit our website https://aquatrace.eu or contact info@aquatrace.eu . | AquaTrace – Genetics and Genomics in support of Aquaculture Welcome note of the coordinator: I am very pleased to be able to send out this first AquaTrace e-newsletter documenting progress over the first six month period. The aim of AquaTrace is to contribute to a prosperous and sustainable future for European aquaculture. This ambitious goal will be pursued through state-of-the art genetic and genomic approaches leading to new valuable knowledge of the target species Atlantic salmon, European sea bass, turbot, gilthead sea bream and brown trout. This will allow the development of novel analytical approaches with benefits for aquaculture breeding and management. Related to this, we attempt to assess and contain potential risks associated with aquaculture, as escapes or releases of domesticated aquaculture fish can have adverse effects on native fish gene pools. Thus, the development of tools for identifying wild and farmed fish, interbreeding between them and effects on key fitness traits (survival and reproduction) is essential. To that end, AquaTrace will develop innovative molecular genetic tools, which will vastly improve the ability for tracing marine farmed fish in the wild (European sea bass, gilthead sea bream and turbot) and for documentation of their potential effects on wild homologs (conspecifics) with Atlantic salmon and brown trout as model species. Importantly, if properly integrated, these tools and insights can also be used by the industry in order to reach their breeding goals faster and more efficiently, thus assisting productivity and welfare across the sector. | ||
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What has been achieved so far? Much progress has been made since the recent onset of AquaTrace (November 2012). First of all, with the launch of its website, AquaTrace has obtained a public face, facilitating outreach, communication and interaction with stakeholders (https://aquatrace.eu). In line with our commitment to fully engage with the industry, a web-based questionnaire of breeding practices of European aquaculture enterprises has been finalized and will be accessible this autumn. In addition AquaTrace is preparing a web-based compilation of previous knowledge and of resources on the target species generated from other projects. We have also made significant scientific progress in relation to the development of genetic markers ("SNP's" - Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms) for the targeted marine species. All baseline samples for both wild and hatchery populations have been collected and many of the samples for downstream genotyping are also available. In addition, reference genomic sequences for the target species have been generated and trial genomic libraries (RAD libraries - Restriction site associated DNA) have been successfully constructed and sequenced. Accordingly, everything should be in the pipeline for full scale sequencing and marker development later this year. In relation to the model species, families for common garden activities have been successfully produced for both salmon and trout and the experiments are now running according to plans in Matre, Norway. We experienced truly anxious moments when the Danish trout eggs were transported to Norway by car and ferry in the middle of a snowstorm in early spring. Fortunately, everything went well. | Overall, I am very happy to say that all the planned deliverables within the first six months have been successfully completed in compliance with the proposed descriptions and timelines. This has been achieved through a dedicated effort and hard work by the consortium members. However, there are many more tasks to complete and many interesting results to present in the coming years. I hope that you share the excitement of me and the rest of the consortium and will follow our progress within AquaTrace over the next 3½ years. Yours sincerely,  Einar Eg Nielsen  (Image source: Port a Bheachan: Wikimedia Commons. Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic) | ||
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