Insights with Ian: Selection vs. Modification? The Future of Genetics
In this edition of Insights with Ian, we dive into one of aquaculture’s most misunderstood topics: genetics. From pedigree-based section to genomic innovations, Ian explains how these strategies are shaping the next generation of fish farming and why understanding them is critical for staying competitive. Selection vs. Modification? The Future of Genetics This post deals […]
Insights with Ian: The Rise of Precision Aquaculture
Welcome to the first edition of Insights with Ian, a new blog series from Xelect’s founder and aquaculture visionary, Ian Johnston. Each month, Ian will dive into the technologies and trends shaping the future of aquaculture. In this issue, we take a closer look at the rise of precision aquaculture and its transformative impact on […]
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Optimate: Powerful Software for Designing Aquaculture Breeding Programmes
Beyond Traditional Breeding: The Optimate Difference For centuries, selective breeding followed the same basic approach. Farmers selected the biggest and best performing animals, achieving incremental improvements over decades—often at the significant cost of inbreeding. This approach, while intuitive, has severe limitations in modern aquaculture where precision, speed and genetic diversity are paramount. Enter Optimate—Xelect’s groundbreaking […]
Is Indoor Shrimp Farming Poised for a Breakthrough?
The global shrimp farming industry stands at a transformative moment.
Aquaculture Trends 2025
Opportunities and Challenges for Financial & Strategic Investors
Pioneering Oyster Research
Xelect’s Angel Carrasquillo Advances Aquaculture Breeding Programmes
A decade of delivering for our customers – Xelect celebrates 10th Birthday
This year Xelect has reached a major milestone, celebrating 10 years of supporting the aquaculture industry with advanced genetics services. The company started as a spin-out from the University of St Andrews, gradually evolving from a small office at the Scottish Oceans Institute to a large, custom-built, state-of-the-art laboratory. Xelect was founded by then Director […]
Xelect receives UK Government award for export success
We’re pleased to announce that Xelect has been recognised in the inaugural “Made in the UK, Sold to the World Awards”, which celebrate outstanding examples of UK small businesses exporting around the world. Xelect was one of 3 Agriculture, Food and Drink companies awarded ‘highly commended’ status by the UK government, alongside Fever Tree Drinks […]
Pioneering Partnership between Martec and Xelect
First commercial Spotted Rose Snapper genetic programme now underway Martec (a leading player in Central American aquaculture) and independent genetics experts Xelect have recently announced a new partnership to create the first large-scale genetic breeding programme for Spotted Rose Snapper (Lutjanus guttatus). Martec are a fully integrated, BAP Certified producer, based in the tropical paradise […]
