66 MARCH 2026 • WORLD AQUACULTURE • WWW.WAS.ORG for nutritional improvement through modern genomic tools (Figure 1). The study examined sixteen fatty acid traits in Malabar red snapper (Lutjanus malabaricus) using a high-density SNP-array, and demonstrated encouraging genomic prediction accuracies for key omega-3 fatty acids including DHA, EPA and total n-3 PUFAs. These findings provide a foundation for applying genomic tools to selectively breed fish with superior nutritional profiles even under low-fish-oil diets. This integration of genomic information with feed sustainability offers a powerful route toward producing healthier seafood for global markets. Foundation of the Study: Using High-Density Genomics to Decode Fatty Acid Variation The study evaluated 534 red snapper reared in commercial sea-based systems at 18 months of age. Fatty acid profiling was conducted on dorsal–caudal muscle samples using established gas chromatography protocols (O’Fallon et al., 2007). The fish were genotyped using a custom Axiom Red Snapper 70K SNPchip developed from wild and domesticated populations across the Indo-Pacific region. After stringent quality control, 39,780 high-quality SNP markers were retained for downstream analysis (Purushothaman et al., 2025) (Figure 2). Aquaculture is entering a new era driven by the increasing global demand for seafood rich in long-chain omega-3 fatty acids. Consumers now seek fish containing high levels of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which are well known for their cardiovascular, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective benefits (Nigam et al., 2018). In parallel, the aquaculture industry is shifting toward more sustainable production systems that reduce dependence on wild-sourced fishmeal and fish oil. While essential from an environmental perspective, the reduction of marine ingredients in feed can compromise the natural deposition of omega-3 fatty acids in farmed species, particularly those grown on plant-based oils (Hooft et al., 2024; Napier and Betancor, 2023). Maintaining high nutritional quality in this evolving landscape requires innovative breeding approaches. One promising solution is the use of genomic selection (GS) to enhance complex nutritional traits. A recent study by Purushothaman et al. (2025), published in the journal Aquaculture, presents one of the most comprehensive genomic evaluations of fatty acid composition in any marine finfish species. Malabar red snapper, a high-value Indo-Pacific reef fish prized for its firm texture, superior taste and naturally rich fatty acid profile, represents an ideal candidate Genomic Selection for Improved Fatty Acid Composition in Red Snapper: A Pathway Toward Sustainable, High-Quality Aquaculture Kathiresan Purushothaman and Shubha Vij FIGURE 1. A Malabar red snapper. FIGURE 2. Authors holding a high-density 70K SNP-chip used to genotype Malabar red snapper, providing genome-wide markers for predicting nutritional traits such as DHA and EPA.
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