Production of the first F2 (domesticated) generation of Newfoundland cod from performance evaluated F1 broodstock, from the Atlantic Cod Genome Project and selection of the F3 broodstock.
Final Report

Newfoundland Cod Broodstock Company Inc.
AIMAP-2009-N03

1. Project Summary

The Newfoundland Cod Broodstock Company Ltd. (NCBC) is a company incorporated in Newfoundland. The company was a full participant in the Atlantic Cod Genome Project (ACGP) which was established to undertake the sale of eggs and fry from cod broodstock the ACGP maintains and broodstock maintained by the company to any commercial entity wishing to purchase its products.

The 2008 spawning season was the first that the company had these products for sale. In 2009 the company had the first generation of F1 broodstock to from which to select broodfish with demonstrated enhanced performance. This project addressed the first F1 generation spawning of selected broodstock in Newfoundland and the continuation of the project to the point of validation of performance of the F2 generation and the selection of the F2 generation for future F3 generation. The project was multi year as it moves from production in the hatchery to performance validation in the field.

A nutrition study was completed using 3 different diets.  Chemical and physical measurements were collected and presented by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) at various conferences, meetings, and in a journal article. F1 broodstock (both year class one (YC1) and year class two (YC2)) were identified using estimated breeding values. Top performers were utilized in as many crossings as possible while still maintaining a genetic link through all families. 

The F2 generation (YC5 families) were generated in December 2009.  In total, 54 families (the maximum number of tanks available) were formed, with all families either linked directly or through half siblings in prior year classes (important for genetic analysis).  F2 fish (YC5) were reared in facility tanks until reaching an average weight of 20g. At that time ~1200 fish were tagged for group 3 (facility reared), while and additional ~5000 fish per year class were tagged for the sea cage. 

In August 2010, approximately 5000 F2 fish (YC5) were transferred to the Bay Bulls sea cage site.  The fish were fed every second day throughout warm temperatures, and on occasion once water temperatures dropped throughout the winter months.  During assessments in March and September 2012 information was collected to allow for selection of top performing fish.  Production of an F3 generation cod at this stage is not feasible until certain rearing, marketing and logistical issues have been worked out.

2.  Achievements and Difficulties

Facility reared:
Throughout the entire project, NCBC has had a number of obstacles related to the rearing and use of live animals in a project.  Health issues forced the cull of a number of year class fish as well as the immense time, resources and space limitations in the care and control of the animals.  The YC4 in house fish had to be sacrificed due to an immediate health concern for the rest of the facility. Also, a decision on the cull of the YC5 in house fish (F2s) was made based on a health issue which skewed growth rates and made generating breeding values difficult due to compromised data.  However, NCBC was able to turn this event into a successful collaborative research project with the University of New Brunswick (UNB) to better understand the genetic implications of family dynamics on the spread of a persistent and deadly disease which has many implications for the cod industry on all levels.  Through the combined research, a greater knowledge of Loma morhua now exists, specifically as it relates to cod in pen-like situations as opposed to in the wild. 

NCBC has been able to successfully generate the first F2 generation based on calculated breeding values as well as select these F2 broodstock for use in generating an F3 cod line.  In addition to the elite broodstock generated, NCBC was able to provide additional information with respect to cod production and nutrition and identified a number of shortcomings in the current available feedstock.

Sea cage reared:
The rearing of sea cage fish had its challenges and benefits as well, including the loss of some data due to pack ice conditions.  With swift action, the majority of the fish were unharmed and the sea cage returned to its location.  The YC4 sea cage fish continue to be reared at the sea cage and are expected to be harvested late in 2012 or 2013.  The YC5 sea cage fish have been assessed and prioritized according to breeding potential.  The summer of 2012 proved to be an especially warm summer, delaying sea cage assessments so as not to over stress the animals. 

Growth of the cod fish has continued to be a limiting factor for the industry.  With the data generated during the 2 nutrition studies, we can safely say that without a concentrated effort in developing a better feed which addresses growth but also the egg quality issue, the industry can not be profitable.  Significant work is required in this area, however, as with the salmon industry, once a formulation is found, it can make the difference between a 3 or 4 year growth cycle and a 2 year growth cycle.  As proven by a bait fish diet, potential for significant increases in growth is possible. 

3.  Future Plans and Benefits
At the current time, NCBC is in discussions with a company in Chile to further develop the cod egg market.  During 2011 eggs were shipped to these markets and scientific expertise and knowledge was shared via email and personal communication.  There continue to be a number of cod juveniles in Chile which are the direct descendants of NCBC’s broodstock. 

The current Chile discussions will greatly influence the future development of the Company.  NCBC’s elite cod broodstock will be maintained at the Ocean Sciences Centre for use in future projects as well as to provide a steady supply of eggs available for purchase. 
Currently, an egg optimization study is underway to assess best conditions for shipping of live eggs to international markets, as well as generate the standard operating procedures for shipping.  NCBC is the only known commercial entity providing these services based on performance tested and selected broodstock. 
NCBC also has initiated a growth study for the use of fish in a live fish market.  Fish are being held at an indoor facility so as to minimize transport and Canadian Food Inspection Agency regulations for shipping.  A test run is expected to occur in either Toronto or Maine in spring 2013. 

F3 generation fish are likely to be generated in spring 2013 during the next spawning cycle.  As of yet, a clear consumer has not yet been identified for the future continuation of these elite broodstock fish, however NCBC may replace current Smith Sound (F0) broodstock which were selected from a small pool from wild fish, with the refined and highly selected 3rd generation spawn from the YC5 matings in 2013.  This should provide a better product for marketing eggs.

4.  Conclusion
Overall, the 3 year project has successfully fulfilled the objectives as identified in the initial proposal.  NCBC has successfully generated and reared the F2 generation, and selected an elite broodstock from the sea cage population for the generation of an F3 cod broodstock.  A complete nutrition study was undertaken in cooperation with DFO’s Aquaculture Collaborative Research and Development Program (ACRDP) to assess broodstock diets and nutrition.  The vast amount of data collected through various assessments over the 3 year period has provided additional information for future cod broodstock development. 
Due to unforeseen circumstances, NCBC was able to participate in a collaborative research program to evaluate Loma and identify genetic resistant lines.  In addition, the Company initiated a small scale follow up nutrition study with younger fish to gather more data on growth studies and nutrition.

The project has also helped to identify 2 critical issues which need to need to be addressed for a successful future cod industry: 1) nutrition leading to a decreased growth rate, and 2) Loma morhua which leads to near 100% infection rates, high mortality and low growth rates.