File photo dated 09/01/04 of salmon fillets farmed salmon should be sterilised to prevent them breeding with wild fish and introducing genetic weaknesses, experts have urged. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Monday March 10, 2014. New research shows that while salmon bred in captivity for food consumption are genetically different from their wild relatives, they are just as fertile, potentially damaging wild populations if they escape and breed with them. Millions of salmon escape from fish farms each year, and can get into wild spawning populations where they can reproduce and introduce negative genetic traits. Recently-escaped salmon are not as good at reproducing as wild fish, but the new research shows that their sperm and eggs are as potent as those of wild salmon. If farmed salmon can revive their spawning behaviour by a period in the wild, they could breed with wild populations, the researchers said. See PA story ENVIRONMENT Salmon. Photo credit should read: PA/PA Wire
%VIRTUAL-SkimlinksPromo%Farmed salmon should be sterilised to prevent them breeding with wild fish and introducing genetic weaknesses, experts have urged.
New research shows that while salmon bred in captivity for food consumption are genetically different from their wild relatives, they are just as fertile, potentially damaging wild populations if they escape and breed with them.
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