The global aquaculture industry has over the last 10 years shown tremendous growth. New species are continuously being added to the list of fish farmed in intensive aquaculture systems, and more and more countries around the world see a potential for establishing a viable aquaculture industry.  Aquaculture has a significant role to fulfil in the future of world food production.  Competition in the aquaculture sector is also increasing and profit margins are becoming smaller. In many markets, there are significant seasonal fluctuations in market prices for farmed fish. The fish farming companies must try to target the price peaks by accurately scheduling the harvest.  Year-round availability of eggs for farming and a genetic selection programme is important tool to reach that target. Faster growth translates into greater production with existing facilities, improved food conversion efficiency and quality of the product thus increased economic gain.  Genetic programmes have the power to shape the fish to suit a given purpose or environment.

The science of applied selective breeding and genetics has contributed greatly to the steadily increasing productivity of terrestrial agriculture.  This has not being true for aquaculture where only 1% of aquaculture production is based on improved stocks.

Dr. Vigfús Jóhannsson is the Managing Director of the Icelandic fish farming company Stofnfiskur hf.. The company is a leading company in selective breeding and production of eyed salmonid eggs.  Through its research and high-tech genetic selection activities, it has evolved into being unique in being able to supply healthy salmon eggs on a year-round basis. Vigfus graduated from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, England in 1986, he served as a head of the Aquaculture division of the Institute of Freshwater Fisheries and as a Managing Director of the Icelandic Experimental Fish Farm until he became the Managing Director of Stofnfiskur hf. in 1991. He has been the president of the International Salmon Farmers Association since 2000.

Stofnfiskur AS, Laugavegur 103, PO box 1218 - 121  Reykjavik - Iceland

Tel: +354 (552) 8402  Fax: +354 (552) 8401 Email: vigfus@stofnfiskur.is