Cost-benefit analysis of aquaculture breeding programs

Area of Science:

• Aquaculture
• Animal Breeding
• Quantitative Genetics

Background:

• Selective breeding programs are crucial for aquaculture profitability, with design choices significantly impacting outcomes.
• Cost-benefit analysis is key to evaluating the economic viability of different breeding program structures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate various breeding program designs for aquaculture, considering options with and without multiplier tiers.
• To optimize the number of selection candidates within these breeding programs to maximize profitability.

Main Methods:

• Compared a baseline gilthead seabream breeding program with alternatives: annual multiplier tier replacement, annual replacement with multiplier priority, and no multiplier tier.
• Utilized cost-benefit analyses to assess program profitability over time.
• Determined relationships between profitability, number of selection candidates, time horizon, and production output.

Main Results:

• The baseline program was profitable within 5 years. Alternative programs showed higher profitability up to year 17.
• The program without a multiplier tier was the most profitable up to year 22.
• Optimal number of selection candidates positively correlated with time horizon and production output.

Conclusions:

• Breeding programs without multiplier tiers offer superior profitability, especially over longer time horizons.
• Prioritizing multiplier tier improvement is beneficial for short time horizons, while nucleus improvement is better for long horizons.
• Adjusting the number of selection candidates based on time horizon and production output is essential; exceeding the optimum has less negative impact than falling short.