Editing Selective breeding (section)

===Aquatic species versus terrestrial livestock===
Selective breeding programs for aquatic species provide better outcomes compared to terrestrial livestock. This higher response to selection of aquatic farmed species can be attributed to the following:
* High fecundity in both sexes fish and shellfish enabling higher selection intensity.
* Large phenotypic and genetic variation in the selected traits.

Selective breeding in aquaculture provide remarkable economic benefits to the industry, the primary one being that it reduces production costs due to faster turnover rates. When selective breeding is carried out, some characteristics are lost for others that may suit a specific environment or situation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=What Is the Main Idea of Overproduction in Natural Selection? |url=https://sciencing.com/main-idea-overproduction-natural-selection-18000.html |access-date=2024-01-28 |website=Sciencing |date=30 July 2018 |language=en}}</ref> This is because of faster growth rates, decreased maintenance rates, increased energy and protein retention, and better feed efficiency.<ref name=gb>Gjedrem, T & Baranski, M. (2009). ''Selective breeding in Aquaculture: An Introduction''. 1st Edition. Springer. {{ISBN|978-90-481-2772-6}}</ref> Applying genetic improvement programs to aquaculture species will increase their productivity. Thus allowing them to meet the increasing demands of growing populations. Conversely, selective breeding within aquaculture can create problems within the biodiversity of both stock and wild fish, which can hurt the industry down the road. Although there is great potential to improve aquaculture due to the current lack of domestication, it is essential that the genetic diversity of the fish are preserved through proper genetic management, as we domesticate these species.<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal |last1=Lind |first1=Ce |last2=Ponzoni |first2=Rw |last3=Nguyen |first3=Nh |last4=Khaw |first4=Hl |date=August 2012 |title=Selective Breeding in Fish and Conservation of Genetic Resources for Aquaculture |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1439-0531.2012.02084.x |journal=Reproduction in Domestic Animals |language=en |volume=47 |issue=s4 |pages=255–263 |doi=10.1111/j.1439-0531.2012.02084.x |pmid=22827379 |issn=0936-6768|url-access=subscription }}</ref> It is not uncommon for fish to escape the nets or pens that they are kept in, especially in mass. If these fish are farmed in areas they are not native to they may be able to establish themselves and outcompete native populations of fish, and cause ecological harm as an invasive species.<ref name=":4">{{cite web |url=https://www.seafoodwatch.org/seafood-basics/sustainable-solutions/prevent-farmed-fish-escapes |title=Prevent farmed fish escapes |access-date=2024-02-27 |website=[[Seafood Watch]]}}</ref> Furthermore, if they are in areas where the fish being farmed are native too their genetics are selectively bred rather than being wild. These farmed fish could breed with the natives which could be problematic In the sense that they would have been bred for consumption rather than by chance. Resulting in an overall decrease in genetic diversity and rendering local fish populations less fit for survival.<ref name=":4" /> If proper management is not taking place then the economic benefits and the diversity of the fish species will falter.<ref name=":2" />