Application of genetic markers for early life history investigations on Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua L..)

In the spring of 1988, 1.5 million yolk-sac larvae were released into a small, nearly land-locked fjord in western Norway. The larvae used were offspring from a cod broodstock which was homozygous for a rare allele at the PGI-1 locus. The release was followed by a sampling programme, and larvae carrying this allele were distinguished from wild larvae by starch gel electrophoresis. This pilot experiment was the first step in a study aiming to evaluate the effects of mass release of yolk-sac larvae on local recruitment and the potent ial of using a genetic marker for estimating survival and growth of the early life stages of cod under natural conditions. The article discusses the results of this first pilot experiment and describes future approaches.

This article is part of Marine Science Symposia Volume 192 - "The ecology and management aspects of extensive mariculture". To access other articles from this volume, please use the link to the volume on the upper right hand side.