Advancing Aquaculture through Applied Genetics and Collaborative Research
Aquaculture is undergoing a period of rapid transformation, driven by increasing environmental pressures, evolving disease dynamics, and the need for more efficient and sustainable production systems. Within this context, genetic improvement has emerged as a critical lever for long-term progress. Benchmark Genetics’ participation in Aquaculture UK 2026 in Glasgow reflects its continued focus on advancing aquaculture through integrated breeding strategies, genomic technologies, and collaborative research initiatives.
At the core of Benchmark Genetics’ approach is the integration of traditional selective breeding methodologies with high-resolution genomic data. This combination enables more precise selection decisions and accelerates genetic gain in commercially important traits, including growth performance, robustness, disease resistance, and product quality. The transition from phenotype-driven selection alone to data-enriched breeding frameworks marks a significant shift in how aquaculture species are improved, aligning breeding objectives more closely with real-world production challenges.
Driving Innovation in Sustainable Seafood
Benchmark Genetics will present how advances in genomics are enabling breeding programs to deliver measurable improvements in performance, fish health, and sustainability across aquaculture species. During the session, Carolina Penaloza Navarro and Andrew Cree Preston will demonstrate how genomic tools are being translated into practical applications, from expanding access to multi-species genotyping to integrating genomic data with field performance, challenge testing, and environmental insights. This combined approach supports more precise selection decisions and links genetic progress to bioeconomic value in commercial production, reflecting the industry’s shift toward using genomic insight to drive more efficient and sustainable outcomes.
Proud moment for Benchmark Genetics – we are named Aquaculture Awards Finalists 2026
Benchmark Genetics has been named a finalist in the Collaboration category at the Aquaculture Awards 2026, recognising its partnership with the University of Stirling’s Institute of Aquaculture. The collaboration focuses on advancing gill health and genomic resilience in Scottish salmon farming, addressing a critical challenge in the sector. Through the integration of refined disease challenge models, field-based performance data, and genomic tools, the work has improved understanding of complex conditions such as Complex Gill Disease (CGD). Over the past four years, this joint research effort has contributed to more targeted phenotyping approaches and strengthened the scientific basis for breeding more robust fish. The award highlights the importance of sustained collaboration in translating research into practical outcomes for an industry facing increasing environmental and biological pressures.
