Production of the First F2 Generation of Newfoundland Cod from Performance Evaluated F1 Generations of Cod Raised Through the Atlantic Cod Genome 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 season that the company had these products for sale. In 2009 the company had the first generation of F1 broodstock 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 moved from production in the hatchery to performance validation in the field.

Overall, the three 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 three year period has provided additional information for future cod broodstock development.

Project Lead: Newfoundland Cod Broodstock Company Ltd.

Total Project Cost: $1,522,464
           
DFO-AIMAP Contribution: $300,000

Other Financial Support:

• Recipient: Newfoundland Cod Broodstock Company Ltd.
• Federal Government: DFO-ACRDP, NRC - http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/science/enviro/aquaculture/acrdp-pcrda/index-eng.htm
  http://www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/index.html

• Genome Atlantic - Atlantic Cod Genome Project - http://codgene.ca/

For more information please contact the regional coordinator
Newfoundland Region: Chris.Hendry@dfo-mpo.gc.ca