I am uploading the Presentation on Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia (GIFT). Tilapia is 3rd largest most prefered fish in world which is cultured in 75 countries. This presentation may be helpful to the students of Aquaculture.
1. Genetically Improved Farmed
Tilapia (GIFT)
Mitesh H. Ramteke (AQC MA2 07)
Major Advisor
Dr. Kiran Dube Rawat
Principal Scientist
Aquaculture division CIFE
2. Introduction
• fish production and consumption plays important role
in achieving one of the Millennium Development
Goals—that of eradicating hunger and reducing the
incidence of malnutrition.
• Tilapias have the potential of becoming the most
important aquaculture species in the world.
• Tilapia has been a more affordable source of protein
than pork, chicken, and other sources of animal
protein.
• In 2010, the world production of farmed tilapias
reached 3.2 million metric tons of which about 35%
was produced in China (Fitzsimmons et al., 2011).
3. Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia
(GIFT):
• Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia (GIFT) is the
product of the world’s first selective breeding
programme for tropical fish.
• Super Tilapia, otherwise known as GIFT was
developed by the scientists at World Fish Center
(formerly known as ICLARM) through selective
breeding of several strains of Nile Tilapia.
• The GIFT strain of Nile tilapia grows quickly and
survives well, dramatically increasing aquaculture
yields.
4. Identification of problem by WorldFish:
• WorldFish and partners’ research on Tilapias,
which began in late 1970s, indicated that
inadequate seed supply and deteriorating
performance of the fish in many aquaculture
systems in Asia were a major bottleneck for
aquaculture.
• In Africa, aquaculture production was in its
infancy, and wild stocks of native tilapias were
under threat due to habitat degradation,
uncontrolled fish transfers and over-exploitation.
5. Project planning:
• In 1987 WorldFish brought together partners
from Asia and Africa, as well as international
experts to review the status of Tilapia genetic
resources.
• As an outcome of this meeting a decision was
made:
To undertake a major research project on
genetic improvement of tropical finfish.
6. Why Tilapia..
• Tilapias are farmed in more than 85 countries.
• Desirable qualities: stocking density, resistance to
diseases, opportunistic omnivorous.
• Nile tilapia was the species chosen because of its
importance in freshwater aquaculture and its
short generation time of about 6 months.
• The plan was to develop GIFT using conventional
breeding methods, without recourse to genetic
modification by gene transfer.
7. • A collaborative research project called the
Genetic Improvement of Farmed Tilapias
(GIFT) was started in April 1988 (Pullin et al.,
1991).
• After five generations of selection, the growth
performance of the GIFT strain was improved
by more than 80 per cent compared with the
base population.
8. Objectives of GIFT project:
To develop improved breeds of Nile tilapia.
To disseminate GIFT.
To carry out genetic, socioeconomic, and
environmental evaluation of GIFT.
To facilitate the development of national
tilapia breeding programs.
9. Development of GIFT
• The project began by comparing the performance of
existing Asian niloticus farmed strains and imported
wild strains (Ghana, Egypt, Kenya, and Senegal).
• Tilapia strains from different sources are combined in 8
X 8 diallel model and produce 64 cross.
• All 64 possible pure- and crossbreeds among and
within the four African and four Asian strains were
measured in different test environments.
• Best combinations among them are then used to
establish the base population.
10. Selective breeding:
• A synthetic base population was built from the
25 best-performing groups of the 64 tested.
• Selected males and females were selectively
bred in the ratio 1:2 to produce first
generation of GIFT.
• Representative samples of their progeny were
tagged, distributed to test environments.
• Breeders were selected for the next
generation using standard quantitative
genetics methods.
12. CONDITIONING HAPA FOR
SELECTED BREEDERS BEFORE
MATING
A female with eggs in her mouth
Transfer eggs from female’s mouth to
bucket
Transfer eggs to incubators
13. • By 1993, three generations of selection had
been completed and preliminary results
showed the selected fish growing much faster
than local tilapia strains and survival rates
being considerably higher (Longalong, Eknath,
and Bentsen 1999).
• The GIFT project eventually yielded genetic
improvements of 7.1 percent genetic change
over nine generations of fish, or a 64 percent
cumulative increase in tilapia growth over the
base population (Ponzoni et al. 2008).
14. Dissemination: (1994-97)
Comparative Evaluation of GIFT
On-station
Bangladesh
PRC
Thailand
Viet Nam
In ponds, GIFT gave better yields than local tilapia strains
(ranging from 15% higher in Viet Nam to 65% higher in
Bangladesh).
In cages, GIFT gave 7% and 69% better yields than local
tilapia strains, respectively, in the PRC and Bangladesh
(World Fish Center Penang).
16. Comparative Evaluation of GIFT On-
farm:
The farming methods used
included ponds and cages with
different levels of inputs
(fertilizers and feeds).
In farm ponds in Viet Nam and Bangladesh,
GIFT gave 33% and 78% higher yields,
respectively, than those of local tilapia strains.
In cage farming in the PRC and the Philippines,
GIFT gave 25% and 54% higher yields,
respectively, than those of local strains .
19. End of the GIFT project:
• GIFT project completed in 1997.
• Donor funding for the GIFT project ends.
• In 1999 GIFT Foundation International (GFII) was
established to continue breeding and outreach
efforts.
• GFII failed to rapidly reach a stage of economic
self sufficiency.
• 1999 GFII enters into an agreement with
GenoMar, a private Norwegian biotechnology
company, for dissemination rights of GIFT, which
is rebranded GenoMar Supreme Tilapia (GSTTM).
20. IMPACTS ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND BIODIVERSITY
• The environmental impact of GIFT has been either non-
existent or very slight.
• There are no reports of any harm done by GIFT to the
fish fauna of the countries into which it was
introduced.
• Although monitoring must continue for genetic
improvement and dissemination of farmed tilapia
proceed.
• Responsible development and dissemination of GIFT
would be unlikely to cause serious environmental
damage.
21. ADVANTAGES OF GIFT:
faster growth rates than other farmed
strains.
Improved survival in polluted waters and
that they can be raised in extensive
systems without the need for commercial
feeds.
The benefit of three fish crops per year,
raises the yield potential and income
generation from the smallest of ponds.
22. GIFT consumes rice bran to weeds and even sewage
but it is mainly plant-eating.
It can reach marketable size in four months when
reared in cages, and in six months when grown in
ponds rich in natural food and without the use of
commercial feed.
The GIFT strain has generated additional income and
employment for both fish farmers and hatchery
operators.
The estimated internal rate of return (IRR) is more
than 70 per cent over the period 1988 to 2010.
24. Introduction in India:
• O. mossambicus was introduced into Indian
waters long back in 1960s and acquired a bad
reputation of having become a pest.
• The species quickly spread across the country
within a few years due to its prolific breeding and
hardiness.
• Abundance of the species affected the fisheries
of several reservoirs and lakes across the country,
including Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and
Rajasthan etc.
• The fisheries research committee of India had
imposed ban on tilapia propagation in 1959.
25. • Indian government is understood to be against
the introduction of GIFT in India.
• Indian authorities conducted an in depth study of
the on-going GIFT farming activities and their
effects on local fish fauna in countries such as
Thailand, China, Indonesia, Philippines and near
home in Bangladesh.
• There are no reports of any harm done by GIFT to
the fish fauna of the countries into which it was
introduced.
• It is selectively bred version of several types of
Nile Tilapia.
26. • It could be considered that introduction of GIFT
would not be an ecological hazard if introduced.
• Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Aquaculture (RGCA), the
R&D arm of MPEDA, has started project on the
development of GIFT strain in India.
• It was the first attempt made by RGCA to further
develop the GIFT strain.
• The aim was to produce fast-growing high
yielding tilapia strains adapted to a wide range of
local farming environments.
27. • To establishment of a new nucleus of the GIFT
strain at the RGCA.
• The design of a formal breeding program to
further improve its genetic performance
within the local environment.
• Once a high performing tilapia strain (or
strains) has been developed, the
establishment of satellite hatcheries will
increase the availability and decrease the
costs of seed stock.
Collaboration with WorldFish Center
28. Development of GIFT generations at RGCA
• Latest generation of GIFT (generation 10) were
transferred from Jitra, Malaysia, to the RGCA
research station at Vijayawada, India on the
25th of August 2011.
• Successfully produced first generation of GIFT
in India.
• Currently, 50 families from G2 are being
tagged.
29. • In India commercial farming of GIFT is not
implemented yet on a large scale.
• Only the Government of Kerala has issued
guidelines for farming of Tilapia and
commenced issuing licenses to farmers for
Tilapia Culture.
• While the Fisheries Departments of the Govt.
of Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra Fisheries
Development Corporation are carrying out
extensive field trials using all male GIFT seeds
from RGCA.
30. Farming of Genetically Improved Tilapia in
Kerala:
• The state government has granted a permission for
rearing genetically improved tilapia at Ponnani on
conditional basis.
• The marine products export development authority in
2012 had urged the state to initiate steps for
registration and promotion of tilapia farms in the state
as per the guidelines issued by the Union ministry of
agriculture
• Kerala government has approved the request from the
fisheries director for farming of genetically improved
tilapia at the proposed hatchery at Veliyamcode in
Malappuram district on an experimental basis.
31. Conditions set by state government:
• Only genetically improved farm tilapia should be
used in the process.
• The tilapia fry sourced for rearing should be from
government approved hatcheries.
• Similarly, the ponds being used for cultivation of
genetically improved tilapia fish should not be
connected with other ponds.
• Rearing fish should be carried out in a controlled
manner and in no circumstances the genetically
improved tilapia should be mixed with other fish
verities. (TOI news 21st July 2013).
32. Commercial establishments:
• M/s.Aresen Bio Tech, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh,
• M/s.Ananda Aqua Exports (P) Ltd., Bhimavaram,
Andhra Pradesh,
• M/s Indepesca Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai
• M/s CP Aqua (India) Pvt. Ltd., Chennai,
• M/s Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Aquaculture (RGCA), the R
& D arm of the MPEDA.
• Have been permitted by Government of India for the
seed production and farming of tilapia (Mono sex and
mono culture of Nile/GIFT/golden tilapia).
33. • Diversification of species in aquaculture by
including more species is becomes necessary.
• Introduction of tilapia in our culture systems is
advantageous because it represents lower level in
food chain, and thus its culture will be economical
and eco-friendly.
• GIFT was developed through traditional selective
breeding techniques.
• GIFT strain grows faster than local tilapia strains.
Conclusion
34. • In south-east Asian Countries, Its farming has
brought prosperity to the farmers besides
augmenting production for domestic
consumption as well as exports.
• GIFT has become popular in neighbouring
Bangladesh and Sri Lanka with no reported
adverse Impacts.
• The introduction of genetically improved
tilapia such as GIFT is worth considering.
35. References:
• ADB (Asian Development Bank), (2005). An impact evaluation
study on the development of genetically improved farmed
tilapia and their dissemination in selected countries, 77.
Manila: Asian Development Bank
(http://www.adb.org/Publications)
• Delgado, C. L., N. Wada, M. W. Rosegrant, S. Meijer and M.
Ahmed. 2003. Fish to 2020: Supply and demand in changing
global markets. International Food Policy Research Institute
and WorldFish Center. Technical report 62. 226 P.
• DFID (Department For International Development), (2010).
Making a GIFT selection: improved tilapia in the Philippines.
Penang Malaysia: Wren media. (www.worldfishcenter.org)
36. • Eknath, A. E. and B. O. Acosta. 1998. Genetic improvement
of farmed tilapias (GIFT) project: Final report, March 1988
to December 1997. International Center for Living Aquatic
Resources Management, Makati City, Philippines.
• Fitzsimmons, K., R. Martinez-Garcia, P. Gonzalez-Alanis
.2011. Why tilapia is becoming the most important food
fish on the planet. L.P. Liu, K. Fitzsimmons (Eds.),
Proceedings of the 9th International Symposium on Tilapia
in Aquaculture. Shanghai pp. 1–8 409 pp.
• GIFT Technology Manual: An aid to Tiapia selective
breeding. (2004). WorldFish Center, Penang, Malaysia,
(www.worldfishcenter.org/resource_centre/WF_365.pdf)
• Longalong, F. M., A. E. Eknath, and H. B. Bentsen. 1999.
Response to bi-directional selection for frequency of early
maturing females in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus).
Aquaculture 178 (1–2): 13–25.
37. • Lind, C., W. Mekkawy, & R. Ponzoni. (2013). RGCA
Second Year Annual Report. WorldFish Center.
• Nguyenl, N. H., R. W. Ponzonil, S. Vijayakumar and
T. S. Raj. (2011). Establishment of a Satellite
Nucleus of the Gift Strain at Rajiv Gandhi Center
for Aquaculture (RGCA) to Support Tilapia
Production in India. Souvenir, 37-47
• Pullin, R. S. V., A. E. Eknath, T. Gajedrem, M. M.
Tayamen, J. M. Macaranas and T. A. Abella. 1991.
The Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia (GIFT)
project: the tory so far. Naga, ICLARM Q. 14 (2):
3-6.
38. • Ponzoni, R. W., N. H. Nguyen, H. L. Khaw, N.
Kamaruzzaman, A. Hamzah, K. R. Abu Bakar, and
H. Y. Yee. 2008. Genetic improvement of Nile
tilapia (Oreochromis Niloticus)—Present and
future. Presented at the 8th International
Symposium on Tilapia in Aquaculture, October
12–14, 2008, Cairo, Egypt.
• Science Council. (2006). Improved Tilapia Benefits
Asia. Rome, Italy: CGIAR.
• Yosef, S. (2009). Rich Food for Poor People:
Genetically improved tilapia in the Philippines,
International Food Policy Research Institute
Discussion Paper 00925.
(http://www.ifpri.org/sites/default/files/publicati
ons/ifpridp00925.pdf)