Brazil introduces first gene-edited tilapia in landmark aquaculture breakthrough

BRAZIL – Leading tilapia producer Brazilian Fish, in partnership with the U.S.-based Center for Aquaculture Technologies (CAT), has successfully developed the country’s first gene-edited tilapia. 

This milestone is set to enhance productivity, optimise fillet yield, and accelerate genetic improvements in the species, marking a transformative step for the aquaculture industry in Brazil and beyond.

The initiative seeks to drastically improve the efficiency of tilapia farming by accelerating genetic enhancements that typically take 20 years to develop through traditional selective breeding, condensing that process into just one year. 

According to Brazilian Fish CEO Ramon Amaral, “To develop tilapia using these advanced breeding methods, CAT scientists, working with our research and development team here at Brazilian Fish, conducted reproduction trials and produced fertilised eggs that will help create genetic improvements for better growth, yield, and feed efficiency.”

The research and development phase spanned two years, during which CAT scientists collaborated with the Brazilian Fish’s R&D team to conduct in vitro fertilisation trials and reproductive induction tests. 

This work led to the creation of precise genetic variations that enhance muscle growth and feed conversion efficiency. 

The first gene-edited specimens have now been successfully produced and are undergoing genomic and performance evaluations under strict biosecurity protocols to ensure their safety and effectiveness.

Genome editing, unlike genetic modification, does not introduce foreign DNA from other species. Instead, it precisely targets existing genes to speed up beneficial genetic variations that could naturally occur over generations. 

This project’s key focus was on modifying the myostatin gene, which regulates muscle growth in fish. By inhibiting this gene, researchers have successfully developed tilapia with improved growth rates and higher fillet yields, making them more commercially viable and environmentally sustainable.

The implications of this breakthrough are significant. Genome-edited tilapia can grow faster with less feed, leading to a more efficient and sustainable aquaculture system. 

Dr. John Buchanan, CEO of CAT, highlighted this key benefit, stating, “Improving feed efficiency is crucial because it directly impacts the sustainability and profitability of aquaculture operations. It refers to how effectively fish can convert feed into body mass, meaning less feed is required to achieve the desired growth.”

Regulating biotechnology applied to aquaculture

Brazilian Fish and CAT’s strategic partnership has also emphasised compliance with regulatory frameworks to ensure the responsible use of gene-editing technology. 

The project is being carried out under the oversight of Brazil’s National Technical Commission for Biosafety (CTNBio), which ensures that all procedures adhere to strict safety and environmental standards. 

Brazilian Fish holds a Biosafety Quality Certificate and undergoes regular evaluations by its Internal Biosafety Committee to maintain adherence to regulatory requirements.

The gene-edited tilapia are expected to significantly impact Brazil’s growing aquaculture sector, offering fish farmers an innovative tool to increase yield while reducing costs. 

“As a pioneering Brazilian aquaculture company, Brazilian Fish, together with CAT, will deliver a disruptive solution that will drive technological transformation in industrial tilapia farming in Brazil,” Amaral added. 

While the gene-edited tilapia are still undergoing evaluation, the prospects for their introduction into commercial production look promising. Brazilian Fish’s ongoing selective breeding program will further refine these genetic lines, ensuring their long-term viability in the market.

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