Benchmark Genetics Shrimp operates a world-leading breeding program for Penaeus vannamei.
With its breeding nucleus in Colombia, and from its modern and biosecure Elite Multiplication Centre in Fellsmere, FL, USA, Benchmark Genetics Shrimp develops, produces and globally distributes genetically improved, high performing SPR/SPF Shrimp strains with improved health and efficiency adapted to modern farming conditions.
Using a combination of the most advanced genomic methods and conventional genetics, our program aims to identify the individuals that are genetically faster growing and more resistant to disease. These individuals are used as parents in each new generation to improve the nucleus population and produce broodstock which better meets the needs and expectations of our customers.
Our selective breeding program is the world’s most scientifically documented genetic improvement program for P. vannamei shrimp, with an emphasis on developing populations of breeders with a high level of resistance to certain of the major diseases affecting the shrimp industry worldwide, such as WSSV and AHPND.
Our stocks have a broad genetic base originating from multiple geographical sources, wild and domesticated, to which we refer to as ‘The Gene Supermarket’.
This genetic base, sourced from breeders in Colombia, Hawaii, and Venezuela, and from the wild populations in Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Panamá, and Peru amongst others, increases the diversity of our stock and provides our team of geneticists with multiple options and a wider range of selection for breeding.
There are important interactions between Genetics and Environment. The best animals for one environment – or management practices – are not necessarily the best for another.
We conduct continuous collaborative work with our partners and clients to develop and deliver lines with the best adaptability to their environmental conditions, producing specialized lines which are specially adapted to thrive in specific environments, like low salinity, and balanced lines which combine the best of improved growth with robustness and disease resistance.
As the core of the breeding program, biosecurity is the main priority in all our operations. Our strains are SPF certified by the University of Arizona (UAZ); health surveillance status conducted with the chain of custody of a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) accredited veterinarian.
All our strains are SPR for TSV, IHHNV, NHP, and our BMK_R501 strain is also resistant to WSSV and AHPND. Aligned with Benchmark’s to animal welfare, none of the facilities we operate use eyestalk ablation.
Our sites in the Americas are safely isolated from other aquaculture productions and have only one biosecure entrance through their securely fenced perimeters. Access is controlled and restricted, and rigorous sanitary routines are carried out daily to ensure our strict levels of biosecurity.
Our stocks have a broad genetic base originating from selected breeders in Colombia, Hawaii, and Venezuela and the wild populations in Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Panama, and Peru.
This genetic base increases the genetic diversity and provides our team of geneticists with multiple options and a wider range of selection to breed lines for specific environments.
Implementing the latest genomic tools, our breeding programme has pioneered the development of selected stocks uniquely combining high performance, disease resistance and robustness.
Designed and supervised by Benchmark Genetics Norway (formerly Akvaforsk Genetics), our program is the world’s most scientifically documented genetic improvement program for P. Vannamei shrimp. It focuses on developing lines with improved growth and a high level of resistance to some of the major diseases affecting the shrimp industry worldwide, such as WSSV and AHPND.
Our strains are USDA certified as Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) and Specific Pathogen Resistant (SPR) according to the OIE list, and none of our female breeders is eyestalk ablated.
Operated by Benchmark Genetics’ team of experts in the USA, Norway and Colombia, Benchmark Genetics Shrimp is part of the UK based Benchmark Holdings plc., a leading provider of solutions in aquaculture genetics, health and advanced nutrition (INVE Aquaculture).
Our global presence is consolidated by our local sales and technical teams, production centres and commercial alliances in the main markets in Asia and the Americas.
