Hulata, G., Department of Aquaculture, Agricultural Research Organization, PO Box 6, Bet Dagan, Israel

Genetic improvement efforts in Israel have focused mainly on common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and tilapias and, only recently, on marine fish species. Genetic improvement of tilapias has focused on the all-male inter-specific hybrid Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) × Jordan tilapia (O. aureus). Since realized heritability for growth rate in the gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) was estimated to be 0.45, a mass selection program was initiated. Some efforts are being devoted to testing the benefits of crossbreeding and inter-specific hybridization with Diplodus sargus and red sea bream (Pagrus major). Genetic engineering efforts are currently directed mainly towards developing methods of producing transgenic carp and gilthead sea bream carrying exogenous GH genes. -from Author