Genetic analysis of the GIFT strain (Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus) in Malaysia

The Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia (GIFT) strain is well known worldwide because of its high performance. A first phase of the project ended in 1997 after five generations of selection. In 2002, the GIFT population in the WorldFish Center Malaysia was established based on the sixth generation of GIFT from Philippines. In Malaysia, the breeding program continued the selection for live weight at harvest time (LW) to improve the growth rate. The GIFT population has already undergone seven generations of selection since it was introduced in Malaysia. A review of its progress and performance is timely in order to decide the program’s future direction. In this paper we report phenotypic and genetic parameters for live weight based on the data collected over eight generations, as well as the selection response achieved during that period.