NA24OARX021G0039
Project Grant
Overview
Grant Description
Purpose: Technical abstract: Aquaculture of marine bivalves is a sustainable food system that provides high-quality animal protein while supporting the coastal environment.
The U.S. is a top producer of the Manila clam (Ruditapes philippinarum).
The production of clams, however, has largely relied on seeds from wild broodstock and natural recruitment, leaving the industry vulnerable to ocean change.
We propose to develop a breeding program for Manila clams taking advantage of superior performances of female, triploid clams.
In Phase I, we tested the feasibility of producing pair-mated families and identifying sex-ratios in embryos.
Twenty-six distinct families were produced and grown to the seed stage and are in on-farm trials to determine the relationship between yields and sex-ratios between families.
In the Phase II effort, we propose to produce female-biased triploid clams by (1) screening 200 pair-crosses for female-biased families; (2) identifying sex-ratios in embryos as a biomarker for better yield potentials; (3) inducing triploidy in high-yielding families; (4) conducting on-farm trials to evaluate yield for different crosses.
The research will engage shellfish growers through direct participation in on-farm trials, enable commercialization of high-yielding seed clams, and pave the way for a long-term breeding program for the species for the U.S. shellfish aquaculture industry.
Summary of the anticipated results and commercialization potential of the research: Breeding programs for Manila clams are urgently needed for the shellfish aquaculture industry on the U.S. West Coast where the Manila clam is the second largest crop by volume behind the Pacific oyster.
In Phase II, we anticipate developing family lines of Manila clams that have improved farm yields compared with generic seed, resulting from combining increased growth rates in female clams with superior production characteristics of triploids.
On-farm trials are expected to demonstrate the higher yield and further refine improvement by incorporation of farm conditions and desired traits.
The experimental approach is based on systematic separation of phenotypic variation in growth, survival, and sex-ratio into different clam families.
We will use a known biomarker feasible for identifying sex-ratios in embryos and a genomic DNA staining procedure for checking ploidy in larvae for early screening for families with higher growth potentials.
Improved seed clams from this proposed research could increase the farm yield by 30% in a single generation and will directly benefit shellfish growers through sales channels that Pacific Hybreed has developed.
Improved broodstock will be made available to commercial hatcheries through partnerships for larger-scale production to reach more farms and boost locally produced seafood in the U.S.
The U.S. is a top producer of the Manila clam (Ruditapes philippinarum).
The production of clams, however, has largely relied on seeds from wild broodstock and natural recruitment, leaving the industry vulnerable to ocean change.
We propose to develop a breeding program for Manila clams taking advantage of superior performances of female, triploid clams.
In Phase I, we tested the feasibility of producing pair-mated families and identifying sex-ratios in embryos.
Twenty-six distinct families were produced and grown to the seed stage and are in on-farm trials to determine the relationship between yields and sex-ratios between families.
In the Phase II effort, we propose to produce female-biased triploid clams by (1) screening 200 pair-crosses for female-biased families; (2) identifying sex-ratios in embryos as a biomarker for better yield potentials; (3) inducing triploidy in high-yielding families; (4) conducting on-farm trials to evaluate yield for different crosses.
The research will engage shellfish growers through direct participation in on-farm trials, enable commercialization of high-yielding seed clams, and pave the way for a long-term breeding program for the species for the U.S. shellfish aquaculture industry.
Summary of the anticipated results and commercialization potential of the research: Breeding programs for Manila clams are urgently needed for the shellfish aquaculture industry on the U.S. West Coast where the Manila clam is the second largest crop by volume behind the Pacific oyster.
In Phase II, we anticipate developing family lines of Manila clams that have improved farm yields compared with generic seed, resulting from combining increased growth rates in female clams with superior production characteristics of triploids.
On-farm trials are expected to demonstrate the higher yield and further refine improvement by incorporation of farm conditions and desired traits.
The experimental approach is based on systematic separation of phenotypic variation in growth, survival, and sex-ratio into different clam families.
We will use a known biomarker feasible for identifying sex-ratios in embryos and a genomic DNA staining procedure for checking ploidy in larvae for early screening for families with higher growth potentials.
Improved seed clams from this proposed research could increase the farm yield by 30% in a single generation and will directly benefit shellfish growers through sales channels that Pacific Hybreed has developed.
Improved broodstock will be made available to commercial hatcheries through partnerships for larger-scale production to reach more farms and boost locally produced seafood in the U.S.
Awardee
Funding Goals
18 CLIMATE ADAPTATION AND MITIGATION 19 WEATHER-READY NATION 20 HEALTHY OCEANS 21 RESILIENT COASTAL COMMUNITIES AND ECONOMIES
Grant Program (CFDA)
Awarding / Funding Agency
Place of Performance
Bainbridge Island,
Washington
981103375
United States
Geographic Scope
Single Zip Code
Related Opportunity
Pacific Hybreed was awarded
Project Grant NA24OARX021G0039
worth $612,589
from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in September 2024 with work to be completed primarily in Bainbridge Island Washington United States.
The grant
has a duration of 2 years and
was awarded through assistance program 11.021 NOAA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program.
The Project Grant was awarded through grant opportunity FY24 NOAA SBIR Phase II.
SBIR Details
Research Type
SBIR Phase II
Title
Production of high-yielding Manila clam seed through family-based breeding and polyploidy selection
Abstract
Aquaculture of marine bivalves is a sustainable food system that provides high-quality animal protein while supporting the coastal environment. The U.S. is a top producer of the Manila clam (Ruditapes philippinarum). The production of clams, however, has largely relied on seeds from wild broodstock and natural recruitment, leaving the industry vulnerable to ocean change. We propose to develop a breeding program for Manila clams taking advantage of superior performances of female, triploid clams. In Phase I, we tested the feasibility of producing pair-mated families and identifying sex-ratios in embryos. Twenty-six distinct families were produced and grown to the seed stage and are in on-farm trials to determine the relationship between yields and sex-ratios between families. In the Phase II effort, we propose to produce female-biased triploid clams by (1) screening 200 pair-crosses for female-biased families; (2) identifying sex-ratios in embryos as a biomarker for better yield potentials; (3) inducing triploidy in high-yielding families; (4) conducting on-farm trials to evaluate yield for different crosses. The research will engage shellfish growers through direct participation in on-farm trials, enable commercialization of high-yielding seed clams, and pave the way for a long-term breeding program for the species for the U.S. shellfish aquaculture industry.
Breeding programs for Manila clams are urgently needed for the shellfish aquaculture industry on the U.S. West Coast where the Manila clam is the second largest crop by volume behind the Pacific oyster. In Phase II, we anticipate developing family lines of Manila clams that have improved farm yields compared with generic seed, resulting from combining increased growth rates in female clams with superior production characteristics of triploids. On-farm trials are expected to demonstrate the higher yield and further refine improvement by incorporation of farm conditions and desired traits. The experimental approach is based on systematic separation of phenotypic variation in growth, survival, and sex-ratio into different clam families. We will use a known biomarker feasible for identifying sex-ratios in embryos and a genomic DNA staining procedure for checking ploidy in larvae for early screening for families with higher growth potentials. Improved seed clams from this proposed research could increase the farm yield by 30% in a single generation and will directly benefit shellfish growers through sales channels that Pacific Hybreed has developed. Improved broodstock will be made available to commercial hatcheries through partnerships for larger-scale production to reach more farms and boost locally produced seafood in the U.S.
Topic Code
9.3
Solicitation Number
NOAA-OAR-TPO-2024-2008239
Status
(Ongoing)
Last Modified 2/19/25
Period of Performance
9/1/24
Start Date
8/31/26
End Date
Funding Split
$612.6K
Federal Obligation
$0.0
Non-Federal Obligation
$612.6K
Total Obligated
Activity Timeline
Transaction History
Modifications to NA24OARX021G0039
Additional Detail
Award ID FAIN
NA24OARX021G0039
SAI Number
NA24OARX021G0039-002
Award ID URI
None
Awardee Classifications
Small Business
Awarding Office
1305N2 DEPT OF COMMERCE NOAA
Funding Office
1333BR OFC OF PROG.PLANNING&INTEGRATION
Awardee UEI
NARSNAZ6UVA8
Awardee CAGE
7SDQ9
Performance District
WA-06
Senators
Maria Cantwell
Patty Murray
Patty Murray
Modified: 2/19/25