Effect of assortative mating on genetic gain and inbreeding in aquaculture selective breeding programs

We studied here the efficiency of different selection methods in terms of genetic gain and inbreeding and investigated the effect of the mating scheme to optimize breeding programs in aquaculture when tank effects are present. We have shown that assortative mating can substantially enhance the response to selection, particularly when family selection methods are applied and tank effects are present. To our knowledge, the effect of the mating scheme in an aquaculture context has never been addressed before. Our results suggest that assortative mating in the presence of common environmental variance may be considered in selection programs in aquaculture. Our conclusions will help breeders make optimal mating choices.