PFA CONDUCTS GENETIC RESEARCH ON POPULATIONS OF PELAGIC FISH

PFA conducts genetic research on populations of pelagic fish. Strengthening the knowledge base on populations of pelagic fish like herring and horse mackerel is important to the management of stocks, says the Pelagic Freezer-trawler Association

An article on their website says:

“Since 2015 we have investing into genetic research on the different populations of herring and horse mackerel. While substantial progress has been made on the genetic techniques to discriminate between populations, an important bottleneck remained with regards to the collection of genetic samples.

“Such data collection was very laborious and therefore quite difficult to organise. In collaboration with different fishing industry partners, genetic experts and a laboratory tools supplier, a breakthrough has been achieved in the collection of genetic samples. Genetic tissue can now be extracted from individual fish with simple, ready-made test tubes.

“The picture here shows the PFA Chief Science Officer Martin Pastoors taking some genetic tissue samples of herring at the Lab facilities of Wageningen Marine Research. This opens up exciting new ways of addressing questions about the mixing of different populations in different seasons and areas.

“Accumulating knowledge and data for further scientific research is essential for a responsible and sustainable fishery targeting pelagic fish stocks. The PFA and their members are committed to collaborate with science so that future generations can also benefit from the sea as a source of food and income.”