Aquatic genetic diversity
Oceans, lakes and rivers cover four-fifths of the earth's surface but little is known about their living resources and fewer aquatic than terrestrial species have been described. For the most part the aquatic harvest consists of wild rather than farmed species but demand for all types of aquatic product is rising. In aquaculture, more aquatic species are being farmed than ever before and the application of genetic biotechnologies has provided significant increases in aquaculture production. However, the vast majority of aquatic genetic resources still reside in wild populations and the culture of several important species relies on the collection of brood stock or seed from natural populations. This collection of wild resources depends on healthy, genetically diverse natural populations, but can at the same time, adversely impact the survival of these species if not developed in a responsible manner.
FAO and aquatic genetic diversity
The FAO Fisheries Resources Division carries out a number of activities on genetic diversity. A major activity is the Species Identification Programme, which produces documentation on species catalogues of taxonomic groups, identification guides by geographical area, synopses of single species and a searchable database. The programme focuses on marine species of commercial value, but also includes freshwater systems, e.g. the Mekong River and Tanzanian inland waters. Description of valuable genetic resources of carp has also been undertaken in India and Eastern Europe.
The Fisheries Department, in collaboration with its Members, non-governmental organisations, professional geneticists, and the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research is also beginning to undertake evaluations of new technologies in light of traditional ones, reviews of genetic impacts of fishing and aquaculture, procedures on risk assessment, ethical issues of modern genetic technologies and projects on using genetic technologies for responsible fisheries.
For more information please visit the fisheries and aquaculture website.
Selected documents
The State of the World Fisheries and Aquaculture
Species Catalogues (e.g. shrimps, lobsters, groupers, sea turtles, sharks and marine mammals)
Publications of the Species Identification and Data Programme
Related links
Genetic Resources Action International (GRAIN)
INGA International Network on Genetics in Aquaculture
