Fish and shellfish domestication and stock enhancement: Current status and future directions

Abstract

The human demand for fish protein is increasing daily with continuous growth of the global population and economy. Due to the low harvests of wild-caught fish in conjunction with high human fish consumption, aquaculture presents the most effective solution for enhancing the production of fish protein. However, most fish and shellfish hatcheries fully depend on wild-caught broodstock for seed production. The most effective way to resolve this issue is by enhancing the development of domesticated broodstock. Domesticated broodstock would ensure a consistent production of seed for further breeding and stock enhancement programs. Herein, the present perspective describes an important aspect of the current development of domesticated broodstock for future stock enhancement of fish and shellfish in hatchery seed production. The following characteristics were chosen for domestication of species: High market value (either as food or as ornamental), commercially important for fisheries/aquaculture, threatened or endangered, easy to culture, desirable production traits, disease resistant, viral pathogen-free, ability to utilize various food types and have environmental tolerance. The selection of broodstock source is vital for domestication program, as this is the first step for culturing the selected fish and shellfish species. Genetically improved broodstock are usually used in domestication programs along with optimum feeding strategies and space for improved hatchery production. There are many advantages of domestication, particularly for sustainable food protein as well as for future stock-enhancement programs for newly cultured aquatic species. In conclusion, the success in domestication primarily depends on the knowledge of basic fish and shellfish biology