From September 1st to October 31st 2017, the objective of the work was to develop the target product profile (TPP) of the breeding plan. TPP was developed based on data of the internal report “Client needs and potential competitors” that provides an analysis and evaluation of the current and future needs of clam farmers in countries where clam aquaculture production is most significant worldwide, such as Spain, Italy, China, South Korea and USA. Other data were obtained from visits to farmers in Portugal, and other public available reports. At the end of October a document containing the target species, the market segment, the market, the competitors, and the relevant breeding traits were presented.
From November 1st to December 31st 2017, the objective was to develop the operational breeding program meeting the TPP. This work included the definition of: i) measuring and recording breeding traits; ii) broodstock origin; iii) breeding program strategy; iv) timeline; v) culture methods; vi) challenge in test sites; vii) backup facilities; viii) cost estimation; ix) additional projects and tools to be implemented for improving the breeding program; and x) on-going management.
From January 1st to February 28th 2018, the objective of the work was to develop the technical breeding program of Oceano Fresco, including: i) breeding traits; ii) measuring and recording breeding traits; iii) specifications of the broodstock origin; iv) breeding program strategy; v) timeline; vi) culture methods and calculations of cultivation requirements; vii) cost estimation; viii) on-going management; and ix) research & development projects.
From March 1st to August 31st 2018, the objective was the identification and characterization of specific traits. In detail, several experiments were developed in order to search for potential genetic markers for Perkinsus tolerance/resistance that can be used as a tool during the R. decussatus’ selective breeding implementation.
Several dissemination activities were developed including:
i) Participation in international and national conferences
• XX Foro de Recursos Marinos y Acuicultura de las Rías Gallegas | O Grove, Spain | October 10th and 11th 2017 | Oral presentation and poster communication.
• National Shellfisheries Association Meeting | Seattle, USA | March 18th-22nd, 2018 | Oral presentation and poster communication.
• XIII Seminário da Associação Portuguesa de Aquacultores | Setúbal, Portugal | November 30th, 2017 | Poster communication.
• 1º Workshop of the project SEMEAR | Aveiro, Portugal | June 8th, 2018 | Oral presentation.
• Seminar presentation on Aquaculture Technician course | Tocha, Portugal | July 23rd, 2018 | Invited oral presentation.
ii) Publications in international journals (SCI)
• Andreia Cruz, Fiz da Costa, Jenyfer Fernández-Pérez, Ana Nantón, Ana Insua, Josefina Méndez. Genetic variability and Perkinsus infection level analysis to support founder population selection for a breeding program in the clam Ruditapes decussatus. Submitted to Peer J (Impact factor 2017: 2.118)
• Fiz da Costa, Ana Cerviño-Otero, Óscar Iglesias, Andreia Cruz. Hatchery culture of European clam species (Family Veneridae). In preparation; to be submitted to Aquaculture International. (Impact factor 2017: 1.283)
