Aquaculture selective breeding companies established to service oyster (PO and SRO) and Barramundi industries in Australia are seeking advice on effective models for commercialisation, and a number of selective breeding companies in Australia have developed or are developing genetic databases which need to be supported, in the longer term, on a commercial basis.
There are very few organisations worldwide with extensive international experience in the commercialisation of aquaculture breeding programs who might be able to advise on commercialisation options. The industry needs somebody with these skills to recommend options for restructuring and organising the selective breeding programs in Australia so that they are more commercially viable.
It is unclear whether it is feasible to develop a generic database system that could be adapted to a range of breeding programs on different species and independent advice is required to review this issue and propose mechanisms to provide these services cost effectively.
There is a need to find cost effective genetic marker service providers.
Final report
Objectives:
- To make recommendations aimed to facilitate the long term sustainability of the selective breeding programs in Australia
- To ensure that the process and progress of the review is communicated clearly and transparently to industry stakeholders
- To review options for the production of a generic selective breeding genetic database (go no-go decision subject to action plan)
Outcomes Achieved:
Options/recommendations for the commercialisation of these specific breeding programs leading to decisions on future directions and business plans for commercialisation of those programs have been presented to each of the sectors concerned. The review either directly or indirectly led to:
- New plans for the commercialisation of oyster selective breeding
- A new project to assess possibilities for the commercialisation of genetics services in Australia (led by CSIRO)
- Acceptance of a centralised selective breeding model by the barramundi industry and acceptance that alternative funding options for selective breeding need to be explored
