Evaluation of genetic impact of aquaculture activities on native populations

Abstract

During the past 10 years, worldwide production of farmed fish has more than doubled, with farming activities now producing half of the fish directly consumed by humans. The potential genetic effects of aquaculture on natural fish populations have aroused a great deal of concern among scientists as well as the general public. The perceived risks are often associated with the possible interactions between cultured and native fish with harmful consequences on ecosystem dynamics. The EU funded project Genimpact (Evaluation of genetic impact of aquaculture activities on native populations – An European network, http://genimpact.imr.no) started in November 2005 to review existing knowledge necessary to assess the genetic effects of aquaculture on biodiversity and on the environment, to review future research needs, and to disseminate this information to a wider public.