Benchmark Genetics is a world-leader in breeding and genetics for aquaculture. By combining our long-established breeding programs and the latest genomic tools, we help aquaculture producers increase quality, yield, health, and welfare of their animals.
By combining our long-established breeding programs and the latest genomic tools, we help aquaculture producers increase quality, yield, health, and animal welfare.
Our in-house breeding programs include Atlantic salmon, vannamei shrimp and tilapia. We also support a significant number of selected breeding programs across the world for commercial species such as sea bass, sea bream, rainbow trout, and coho salmon.
Our goal is to be a recognized technology leader through our groundbreaking solutions and superior products. Innovation is at the heart of what we do. We use our industry insights, R&D and technological expertise to maintain a focused pipeline.
Our international team of more than 20 recognized researchers and geneticists share knowledge, experience and technology across genetic programs and geographical boundaries. This way we obtain the enhancement of genetic gains and solve local biological challenges, while at the same time increasing productivity in salmonids and other farmed aquatic species.
The success of our breeding programs for different species in various markets relies on applying world-class science to the needs and expectations at a local level. R&D projects that develops technology for one species and geographic region may provide an opportunity for application for others. Benchmark’s customers in Atlantic salmon benefit from the sharing of technology across our teams in Europe and Chile.
To ensure our position as a leading provider of genetics and genetic services, we need to be at the forefront of the developments within R&D. This implies research partnerships and project participation with world-leading research institutions. Currently, Benchmark Genetics is collaborating with Nofima, The University of Iceland, The Marine Research Institute, Danish Technological Institute, and The Roslin Institute.
For each individual programme, we are optimising the use of available infrastructure and genetic resources and adapting our technologies with one main objective in mind: To obtain the largest possible genetic gains to the benefit of our clients.
Each individual male fish used as breeding candidates represents tremendous values, and such a risk reduction is important both for us as a company but also to ensure that the industry is not left without the latest and best breeding material if something unforeseen should happen.
We aim to be at the forefront of technology by continuously evaluating new techniques, including gene editing. In the early phases of our breeding program for Atlantic salmon, the selection was based on mass selection on phenotypes such as growth, body shape and early maturation.
Using enzyme complexes such as CRISPR-Cas9 and TALENS that edit the DNA sequence Gene Editing (GE) can be used to make precisely targeted changes in the genomes of plants and animals. Such mutations would occur naturally in populations of plants and animals but at a very low level. This GE technology gives geneticists a new set of very powerful tools to improve efficiency, health and welfare.
The technology of cryopreservation helps us preserve the best genes and contributes to the progress of the aquatic industry.
Benchmark Genetics (and previously AFGC) has a long track-record of performing dedicated R&D trials on a commercial scale to further our understanding of salmon breeding. The foundation for this work is our R&D-licenses, as well as our collaborators in SalMar and SinkabergHansen.
Read more about our work on R&D licenses:
