The role of distance and cultivation method in driving the genetic structure of farmed and wild Norwegian kelp

Sammendrag

While the deployment of improved seaweed strains optimized for size, growth rate, and disease resistance remains largely confined to Asia, selective harvest of parent material to improve farming is more widespread. Precautionary management with respect to the issue of “escaped” genetic material from farms has usually come in the form of radius-based restrictions on the origin of parent material. This assumes distance is the primary driver of genetic differentiation and can limit access to the best available cultivation strains. Here, I present a new whole genome sequencing effort of farmed and wild kelp from the Norwegian coastline, revealing the role of cultivation method. When comparing populations from different environments, cultivation methods, and geographic regions, cultivation method emerges as an influence greater than distance. Considering this new information, alternative management structures are required to facilitate strain development while protecting wild populations.