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The
mission of the Ohio Center for Aquaculture Research and Development (OCARD) is to increase
the productivity, innovation and profitability of Ohio and US aquaculture
operations, while respecting sustainability and good stewardship, by implement
of sustainability and good stewardship, by implement of innovative research,
outreach, extension and education programs in aquaculture.
YY- super male bluegill have been produced by OSU SC
scientists
Creating all-male populations, monosex male culture, holds
considerable potential as a method to increase the efficiency and
profitability of bluegill aquaculture, as males grow twice as fast as
females. Furthermore, monosex populations can eliminate the problem of
prolific reproduction, precocious maturity and their consequences in
aquaculture ponds and natural water bodies.
To develop so called YY-males in bluegill, which can produce
all male offspring in normal matings, Ohio State University South Centers (OSUSC)
initiated a YY-male selection project in 2004. For the first two years, they
developed an all-female population and cultured them to maturation. These
phenotypically female fish were physically female, having ovaries, but
genetically males, with XY chromosomes. In the fall of 2008, OSUSC
scientists successfully induced those phenotypic females to spawn by
crossing them with regular males (XY). This produced about 30,000 surviving
progeny. Among this population, 75% are males including 25% YY-males and 50%
XY-males, which has been verified by progeny sexing. All male populations
are being produced by by crossing the YY-males with regular XX-females.
Aquaculture...
Spreading Our Fins!
The OCARD is expanding
into the northwest corner of Ohio.
Responding to a need for enhanced aquaculture research and support in
the northern area of the state, a new Bowling Green Aquaculture Satellite
Center opened its doors on June 26, 2008. The new Center will focus on research
and extension initiatives involving recirculation aquaculture
and developing the baitfish industry in Ohio. Visitors will be able to see a
variety of commercial scale recirculation systems at the Center, located
in the Hirzel Agriculture Incubator in Bowling Green.
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