Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Collaborative Research on Aquaculture & Fisheries

The aquatic ecosystems of the world, including inland, coastal, and marine waters, host a remarkable diversity of species. The number of fish species alone exceeds 20,000, or approximately one-half of all vertebrate species (Nelson 1984). This diverse ichthyofauna is in addition to thousands of aquatic species representing other phyla. The diversity of form and life-history pattern clearly represents a wealth of genetic resources. This report is intended to provide an overview of fish genetic resource management. However, the management of fish genetic resources has direct parallels to other aquatic organisms, and many of the concepts of generalizations that follow are equally applicable to other aquatic species. The global ichtyofauna is of significant intrinsic value. The genetic resources represent the capacity for the adaptive evolution of extant species to changing environments and for the evolution of new species. In a more practical sense, the genetic resources represent present and future opportunities for the development and harvest of new sources of human foods, and germ plasm for present and future development of improved varieties for aquaculture. Furthermore, because many fish species manifest a high degree of adaptive specialization, they serve as sensitive indicators of environmental quality. Although it can be argued that the intrinsic value of genetic resources justifies their conservation, it is the economic value of the resources rather than the intrinsic value that has historically exerted the greater influence on resource management policies. Contemporary fisheries resource management is strongly biased towards preservation of economic resources, and conservation of genetic resources is a secondary consideration, if it is considered at all. Economic values of fisheries resources are related to both commercial and noncommercial resource utilization. Commercial resource utilization includes harvesting or farming fish for food, ornamental use, and various specialized uses such as bait. Noncommercial resource utilization includes recreational fishing and aesthetic value. All aquatic species are at risk of losing genetic resources as a consequence of human activities that alter their habitat and (or) population structure. Agriculture, fisheries, forest exploitation, and hydroelectric, residential, and industrial development are examples of human activities that may threaten aquatic species and impose risks of losing genetic resources. The nature of these human interventions is so diverse that it is difficult to generalize about their management. Therefore, this report will focus on the genetic aspects of management, harvesting, and production of fish for human use.

NOP 89-A03 (English)