Genetic improvement programs in Israel have focused mainly on common carp, tilapias, and recently on marine fishes. A breeding program to develop tilapia strains that are cold tolerant and fast growing in fresh and saltwater environments is in progress. Efforts are also being made to produce disease-resistant carp seed. Selective breeding program for sea bream and sea bass has been initiated. Interspecific hybridization experiments were also carried out to improve their culture performance. Investigations on color pattern inheritance, chromosome-set and sex manipulations of various aquaculture species have been conducted or are in progress. Genetic engineering and transgenesis of a few candidate genes; development of DNA markers and the use of QTL mapping to support the fish breeding programs are underway. Other efforts include development of methods for gamete cryopreservation of common carp, marine fishes and shrimp and initiation of gene bank.
Genetic improvement programs in Israel have focused mainly on common carp, tilapias, and recently on marine fishes. A breeding program to develop tilapia strains that are cold tolerant and fast growing in fresh and saltwater environments is in progress. Efforts are also being made to produce disease-resistant carp seed. Selective breeding program for sea bream and sea bass has been initiated. Interspecific hybridization experiments were also carried out to improve their culture performance. Investigations on color pattern inheritance, chromosome-set and sex manipulations of various aquaculture species have been conducted or are in progress. Genetic engineering and transgenesis of a few candidate genes; development of DNA markers and the use of QTL mapping to support the fish breeding programs are underway. Other efforts include development of methods for gamete cryopreservation of common carp, marine fishes and shrimp and initiation of gene bank.