The Working Group on the Application of Genetics in Fisheries and Aquaculture (WGAGFA) focuses on the use of genetic and genomic tools to describe, conserve, and manage intra-specific biodiversity in fish and shellfish. Formerly known as the Working Group on the Application of Genetics in Fisheries and Mariculture (WGAGF), the group addresses management-relevant questions across commercial fisheries, recreational fisheries, aquaculture, and ecosystem contexts.
WGAGFA considers a wide range of applications for genetic methods, including population identification, tracing the origin of fish and fish products, understanding migratory behaviour and habitat use, assessing the dynamics of non-indigenous species, and evaluating the effects of aquaculture escapees. The group also follows technological developments, such as genomic barcoding, and provides guidance on their application in species and ecosystem management.
The group brings together knowledge generated through molecular genetic and genomic approaches to support the identification, tracing, restoration, and management of local populations. It also examines how physical, climatic, and fisheries-related drivers influence species distributions, including through hindcasting and forecasting approaches.
WGAGFA links
