What is Genetic Overview Genetic Overview (GO) analysis leverages genetic markers, such as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), to provide a comprehensive snapshot of a population’s genetic makeup. This includes insights into diversity, inbreeding, relatedness, and the overall genetic structure. The depth of analysis can vary, typically involving 150 to over 50,000 SNPs per animal, depending on specific management goals and available resources. Traditional pedigree tracking methods have a 2-10% error rate. For aquatic species with high offspring numbers and multiple breeders, using SNPs fo ..read more

Photo: Eggs Microinjection at the CAT Finfish Genetics Innovation Center The Center for Aquaculture Technologies (CAT), a leading provider of genetics solutions in aquaculture, has announced a collaboration with C4U Corporation. Their joint effort aims to apply CRISPR-Cas3 technology to promote genome editing in major commercial fish species and drive technological advancements within the industry. CRISPR-Cas3 technology was developed from the research work of Professor Tomoji Mashimo, currently at the Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, who is also a co-founder of C4U, along wi ..read more

Credits: Prima Larvae Bali Prima Larvae Bali (PLB), a leading hatchery in Eastern Indonesia, is bolstered by the expertise of the Center for Aquaculture Technologies (CAT) to elevate their Whiteleg shrimp (vannamei) breeding program. This support enhances PLB’s commitment to delivering biosecure, top-quality postlarvae suited for Indonesia’s unique farming landscape, while also introducing cutting-edge genetic technology. PLB is widely recognized in the Indonesian aquaculture industry for its commitment to delivering quality post-larvae (PLs). Through a meticulously designed selection scheme a ..read more

Objectives within aquaculture can vary quite widely among contexts: from efficiency in commercial production to the management of endangered species, and everything in between.  As the genome of your species informs their ability to thrive, sound information about the genomic makeup of your stock is critical. Genotyping is a proven and rapidly developing technology for obtaining such genomic information. CAT offers a comprehensive range of genotyping services, including our Strain ID line of assays, which enables the classification and characterization of genetic variation within fish po ..read more

Moving from Reactive to Proactive Solutions This article was published in the May/June issue of Hatchery International The wisdom gleaned from decades of aquaculture tells RAS operators that it is better to deal with problems when they are small, as opposed to letting them grow.  In RAS, the growth you don’t want, such as populations of unwanted bacteria, can result in problems with the performance and quality of your aquatic organisms.  High rearing densities, the recirculation of contaminated water, and the fact that the problem is bacterial means that often you can’t even se ..read more

Microbiome sequencing provides valuable insights, enabling pond producers to understand the advantages and risks associated with microorganisms. Shrimp ponds in the countryside of Thailand. Published in Hatchery Feed & Management Vol 11 Issue 2 2023 Pond culture is a proven production model. By rearing organisms in a more controlled section of what amounts to their natural habitat, one can harness the ability of nature to meet many of their environmental needs. While this openness to nature is the strongest asset of pond production, it is, ironically, also the greatest weakness. By being o ..read more

The Center for Aquaculture Technologies Canada (CATC) announces the expansion of their Canadian laboratory services receiving both the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) recognition and EU Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certification effective immediately. This GLP recognition provides CATC the ability to conduct aquatic safety studies at both the Souris and Victoria facilities in PEI under the OECD GLP principles, the highest quality standard required for determining safety of products destined for regulatory approval. CATC is t ..read more

 Dr. Alejandro Gutierrez, Director of Breeding The Center for Aquaculture Technologies (CAT) has a proven track record of assisting clients in attaining their production and efficiency goals through the utilization of cutting-edge breeding technologies. To meet the escalating demand for genetic services while maintaining their client-focused approach, CAT is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr. Alejandro Gutierrez as the Director of Breeding. Alejandro will lead the breeding and genetic services team, guiding CAT in expanding its portfolio of clients and breeding services. Dr. Gut ..read more

Simon Hill, Chief Business Development Officer The Center for Aquaculture Technologies (CAT), a leading provider of contract research services to the aquaculture industry, is pleased to announce Simon Hill as their new Chief Business Development Officer. In this role, Simon will spearhead strategic growth initiatives, expanding market reach, driving global expansion, and forging long-term partnerships, with a special focus on the rapidly advancing genome editing space. Simon brings over 20 years of business development experience to the table.  His expertise spans strategy development, dy ..read more

The global growth of the shrimp industry is placing significant pressure on producers to enhance efficiency and reduce mortality, presenting them with ongoing challenges. To facilitate research aimed at delivering impactful solutions, The Center for Aquaculture Technologies (CAT) is delighted to announce the opening of the Shrimp Genetics Innovation Center. This state-of-the-art facility features a cutting-edge genome editing lab and tank space, effectively quadrupling CAT’s shrimp research capacity. The facility’s opening sets the stage for revolutionizing shrimp genetic perf ..read more