TROUTGANIC

Denmark is one of the largest producers of organic rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in the EU. Organic broodstock has been established, kept separate from conventional ones. However, these broodstocks are not specifically bred for organic production, which is a problem since EU Regulation 2018/848 stipulates that fish bred for organic production must be adapted to specific environmental conditions, be feed-efficient, and have good health and welfare.

The purpose of TROUTGANIC

Troutex, the leading breeding company in organic rainbow trout egg production, and the Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomic Research, experts in breeding and genetics, will collaborate to increase robustness and fish welfare, as well as reduce mortality and climate impact in organic trout. TROUTGANIC aims to achieve this by developing a line of rainbow trout specially adapted for organic production. Various stakeholders in organic production are involved to ensure that public goods such as fish welfare are considered in breeding.

Development of breeding tools enables breeding for increased disease resistance, and genetic diversity in the breeding population is ensured by controlling inbreeding. By developing a breeding program tailored specifically for organic trout production, the project estimates that an additional 210 tons of fish will survive, and CO2 emissions can be reduced by 525,000 equivalents. Additionally, fish welfare will improve three years after the project's completion, and medication use will decrease due to increased disease resistance. Combined with Denmark's unique disease status, this breeding program will give Troutex a world-leading position in organic rainbow trout breeding.

The project step by step

TROUTGANIC will:

• define breeding goals, including both economics and public goods by involving stakeholders in the value chain
• develop a tool based on DNA information that makes it possible to breed for increased disease resistance
• apply a new sampling method "on-site" to an organic fish farm with regular outbreaks of rainbow trout fry syndrome (RTFS) 
• develop a breeding plan that controls inbreeding to ensure genetic diversity in the breeding stock