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Martec and Xelect announce first commercial Spotted Rose Snapper genetic program

Martec and Xelect’s recently announced partnership will look to create the first large-scale genetic breeding program for Spotted Rose Snapper (Lutjanus guttatus). A fully-integrated, Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) -certified producer based in Quepos, Costa Rica, Martec’s joint efforts with Xelect will allow the company to introduce advanced modern genetic techniques, balancing pedigree control and inbreeding with continuous gains in important traits through selective breeding. As Martec looks to increase its production to 10,000 metric tons per year, these endeavours are crucial.

“The first step is developing a bespoke genetic marker panel for Martec, which allows them to analyse genetic relatedness,” said Dr. Carlos Diaz Gil, breeding program manager at Xelect. ” We’ll then effectively work as an in-house genetics department for them, analyzing hundreds of thousands of possible breeding combinations to create the best possible improvements in key traits.”

Professor Ian Johnston, CEO of Xelect, explained this rapid shift toward genetics has become ‘the norm’ for producers. “In the last couple of years, we’re increasingly seeing all the main producers switching to genetics backed breeding. It’s not just the traditional favourites like salmon, bass and bream – we’ve recently begun work on a whole range such as rohu carp, tilapia, and pangasius. The whole industry is waking up to what’s possible.”