Pacific Hybreed Solutions
Domesticating Shellfish for Future Generations
Advanced scientific and practical knowledge to secure a stable, sustainable supply of shellfish in the face of climate change, warmer and more acidic oceans, and emerging diseases.
For thousands of years, humans have domesticated land plants and animals for food production. Shellfish aquaculture still largely depends on wild animals and therefore cannot benefit from the structured, data-driven breeding programs that characterize modern agriculture. Pacific Hybreed is changing that.
Breeding for increased yield and resilience
The Promise of Hybrids
About 100 years ago, agricultural scientists discovered the advantages of inbreeding naturally outcrossing crops, such as maize, and then crossing the inbred lines to produce vigorous, high-yielding hybrid plants. Crossbreeding of corn in the U.S. resulted in a 7-fold increase in yield.
Having demonstrated that shellfish show hybrid vigor as many plants do, Pacific Hybreed’s founders expect crossbreeding to increase harvest yields and improve resilience to changing ocean temperature and chemistry.
Pacific Hybreed is the only company specializing in the commercial development of hybrid shellfish. We combine traditional quantitative breeding methods with modern, genomic-scale analyses of commercially important traits.
Combating POMS
Resistance to Pacific Oyster Mortality Syndrome
Pacific Oyster Mortality Syndrome (POMS) is a virulent disease caused by the Ostreid herpesvirus-1 microvariant (OsHV-1 μVar). It has devastated oyster industries throughout the world. The virulent microvariant has been detected in San Diego Bay, heightening concern for the U.S. West Coast industry.
Research shows Pacific oyster populations harbor genetic resistance to this virus. Pacific Hybreed collaborates with top shellfish pathologists to understand resistance mechanisms, identify involved genes, and breed resistant but genetically diverse stocks — without compromising other desirable traits.
We have mapped regions of the genome that distinguish survivors from non-survivors, which helps identify oysters carrying POMS-resistant genes from natural populations.
Improving performance of triploid Pacific oysters
Polyploids — “Seedless Shellfish”
Triploid oysters carry three sets of chromosomes and are widely grown because they are reproductively sterile, offer year-round product quality, often grow faster, and command a premium price.
In warm-water environments, growers generally avoid triploid oysters because they are more susceptible to sudden mortalities. Pacific Hybreed focuses on developing triploids that survive better in warm-water growing conditions, testing a variety of combinations across environments.
Reducing post-harvest losses of Manila clams
Manila Clams
Reproductively mature clams harvested during warm, summer low tides are likely to spawn before or during shipment — ruining quality and causing significant economic and reputational losses.
Pacific Hybreed is focusing on the development of Manila clams that are incapable of spawning under these conditions, reducing or eliminating this industry issue.
Providing stock for specific conditions
Precision Shellfish Farming
In extensive interviews with over 100 shellfish growers along the U.S. West Coast, we discovered that different growers have different needs depending on their location. Farmers in warmer-water environments, for example, do not necessarily want oysters that grow too fast and pass too quickly through ideal market size.
Pacific Hybreed tests stocks in different environments to produce the ideal stock for each major growing region. We can also advise growers on situating production and nursery areas for optimal growth and survivorship based on tidal currents, exposure, food availability, temperature, and other environmental parameters.
Need advice for your hatchery or farm?
Pacific Hybreed also provides consulting services to growers and hatcheries.