Cage-based tilapia farmers, Brazilian Fish, announced the successful development of the first genetically edited tilapia, using high-precision technological tools to achieve a genetic variation that naturally occurs in animals.
Similar to selective breeding which yields stronger genetic variations over time, genome editing precisely targets and accelerates genetic changes that would naturally occur. Instead of taking many years in a breeding program, this beneficial variation can now be introduced in a single generation. By harnessing genome editing, Brazilian Fish can rapidly and accurately introduce beneficial genetic changes. Genome editing has the potential to support disease resistance, enhance health, improve feed efficiency, and advance growth performance, all while yielding environmental benefits for commercial tilapia breeding operations.
With investments in research and development for tilapia genetic improvement, the company has established a strategic partnership with the Center for Aquaculture Technologies (CAT) to carry out gene editing on specific targets of interest in Nile tilapia. The objective of this partnership is to improve productive performance and increase the fillet yield using cutting-edge technologies, which in turn, allow achieving the progress of a conventional breeding program of 20 years in just one year.
This initiative is aligned with the genetic editing project for myostatin, duly regulated by the National Biosafety Technical Commission (CTNBio). Brazilian Fish strictly follows all established regulations, holding a Biosafety Quality Certificate and undergoing periodic evaluations by its Internal Biosafety Committee. The company said that the genetic variation created through genome editing is a process that could occur naturally and accelerates the progress of traditional selective breeding programs, generating value and reducing the production costs of tilapia in a safe and sustainable manner.
“Improving feed efficiency is crucial because it directly impacts the sustainability and profitability of aquaculture operations. It refers to how effectively fish can convert feed into body mass, meaning less feed is required to achieve the desired growth. Improved feed efficiency benefits the environment by reducing the overall amount of feed needed, which lowers the demand for raw materials and reduces waste - genome editing delivers this opportunity," said John Buchanan, CEO of CAT.
To develop tilapia through these genetic techniques, CAT scientists, in collaboration with the Brazilian Fish R&D team, conducted reproduction trials and produced fertilized eggs that will help create genetic improvements for better growth, yield, and feed efficiency. After two years of planning and research, the first animals were successfully produced. Two years of structuring and preliminary research were necessary to produce the first animals, which are now carefully separated and ready for performance and genomic evaluations.
Genome editing offers transformative benefits enabling the production of tilapia with superior production characteristics compared to current Brazilian tilapia farming standards. This innovation will result in a shorter grow-out period and reduced feed consumption during the grow-out stages. For consumers, this translates to increased availability of healthy and nutritious food.
“As a pioneering Brazilian aquaculture company, Brazilian Fish, together with CAT, will deliver a disruptive solution that will drive technological transformation in industrial tilapia farming in Brazil. In addition to providing consumers with increased access to safe and nutritious food, this initiative will promote greater sustainability and competitiveness in the sector, positioning tilapia as an even more accessible and competitive alternative to other animal proteins in the global market,” concluded Ramon Amaral, CEO of Brazilian Fish.
