Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia (GIFT)

Mitesh H. Ramteke (AQC MA2 07)

Major AdvisorDr. Kiran Dube Rawat

Principal Scientist Aquaculture division CIFE

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

• 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.

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.

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.

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.

Wild strainsEgypt, Ghana,Kenya,

Senegal

Farmed strainsIsrael,

Singapore,Taiwan, Thailand

Founder population

Combined in 8 X 8 Diallel model = 64 cross

Base population

Selective breedingG 1

G 9

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

• 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).

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).

Communal rearing in cages

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 .

Communal rearing in ponds

Harvesting

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).

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.

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.

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.

vIntroduction of GIFT in India

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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

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.

• 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.

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.

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).

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).

• 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

• 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.

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)

• 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.

• 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.

• 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/publications/ifpridp00925.pdf)