Akvaforsk Genetics Center AS (www.afgc.no) is a leading provider of genetic improvement services to aquaculture industries worldwide, with extensive experience from more than 20 large scale selection programs covering 15 species of fish and shrimp across Europe, Asia and the Americas. Services span all critical components of applied selection, including program design, operational procedures, genetic evaluations and documentation of genetic gains.

Scientists involved:

Dr. Morten Rye has worked with genetic research and applied genetic improvement programs for fish and crustaceans since for 30 years . He graduated from the Agricultural University of Norway in 1986, where he also did his PhD in Animal Breeding in 1992 with thesis work focused on the genetic constitution of product quality traits in Atlantic salmon. Before joining Akvaforsk Genetics Center as Scientific Director in 1999, Dr. Rye worked as senior research scientist in the Genetics & Breeding Division at the Institute of Aquaculture Research, Norway. During his work at Akvaforsk Genetics Center, Dr. Rye has been supervising design and implementation of applied selection programs for more than 10 species of fish and crustaceans worldwide. He has also been actively involved in national and international R&D and major project developments, for some projects as Coordinator. Dr. Rye has authored/ coauthored more than 60 scientific publications, seven book chapters, and numerous articles in Norwegian and international trade journals.

Dr. Ingunn Thorland has worked with the technical operation of breeding programs assisted by Akvaforsk Genetics since October 2001, including programs for Atlantic salmon, rainbow trout, Atlantic cod, European seabass and Gilthead seabream. She is project leader and does quantitative genetic analysis for selective breeding in programs of Atlantic salmon in Norway and Gilthead seabream and European seabass in Greece. Ingunn is involved in various R&D projects. She finished her master in Natural Science, Biodiversity and Genetics at the Agriculture University of Norway in 2001, where she simulated genetic interaction between escaped farmed and wild salmon as part of her final thesis work. Before working for Akvaforsk Genetics, Ingunn had some work experience with farmed salmon and rainbow trout at Stolt Seafarm’s freshwater facilities in Fjon, Norway, and she has been a tutor in mathematics and statistics for other students during studies at university. Ingunn Thorland has authored and co-authored scientific research articles in aquaculture field.