Toward Coordination and Funding of Long-Term Genetic Improvement Programs for Striped and Hybrid Bass Morone sp.

The productivity and profitability of striped and hybrid bass Morone sp. aquaculture would be enhanced by genetic improvement of cultured stocks. To date, genetic improvement of cultured bass stocks largely has been limited to interspecific hybridization and ploidy manipulation, techniques which are aimed at short-term genetic gains. Upon domestication, long-term improvement of striped or hybrid bass can be approached. Lines of striped bass and other Morone species can be selected for rapid growth, stress tolerance, disease resistance, combining ability, or other traits. Improved lines can be crossed to produce superior hybrids or crossbreds, or manipulated to produce superior triploid or transgenic stocks. Current breeding projects are limited in size, and coordination of breeding activities among groups would be advantageous. Faced with the likelihood of limited government funding, long-term genetic improvement of Morone species might be supported by the industry through a fund receiving a small percentage of the proceeds from sales of cultured Morone products.