Leading shrimp genetics

Genetics is one of the single most important drivers of improvement in aquaculture. No other area of production, such as nutrition, hatchery management, or farm management, can yield the consistent annual improvements that are possible through genetic selection.

To maximize genetic gain with minimal inbreeding, selection is conducted both among and within families. Kona Bay broodstock is selected for a balance of traits to assure excellent performance under a variety of conditions at the hatchery and farm.

To maximize genetic gain with minimal inbreeding, selection is conducted both among and within families.

Kona Bay broodstock is selected for a balance of traits to assure excellent performance under a variety of conditions at the hatchery and farm.

The average daily gain (ADG) of Kona Bay stocks ranges from 0.3 to 0.4 g, depending on temperature, stocking density, water quality, feeds, and other factors. The growth rate is improving at a rate of approximately 10% per generation.

Kona Bay families are selected for high reproductive performance. Performance varies with the use of live polychaete worms (not recommended if harvested from disease-affected areas). With live worms in the diet, females produce 400,000 nauplii/spawn with 20% spawning/night. Without live worms, females produce 250,000 nauplii/spawn with 15% spawning/night.

Kona Bay families are routinely exposed to standardized laboratory challenge trials to select for resistance to TSV, WSSV, and EMS.

Kona Bay families are routinely selected for tolerance of high levels of dietary soy protein to reduce reliance on scarce supplies of fishmeal. Given the cost and benefits of soy-based feed formulations, the industry is only to gain by reducing animal protein and, in particular, fish meal, to levels that provide the best economic returns. Kona Bay shrimp are ready to help you capture this gain.

In our breeding program, we use Genomic Selection to boost genetic progress with more accuracy. Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) or gene markers are used both for pedigree and trait identification. With the expertise of Hendrix Genetics with Genomic Selection in other (aquatic) species, the application in Kona Bay's breeding program will accelerate genetic progress in general and for certain specific traits with lower heritability.

Reproduction

Carefully selected