Farmed production of Atlantic salmon exceeds that of other
farmed salmonids with a total supply of two million tonnes in
2013 (Giskeødegård & Tønnesen, 2014). Atlantic salmon has been
subjected to intensive genetic selection for rapid growth since
the 1970’s, and it is indisputable that artificial selection has played
a major role in the success of the salmon aquaculture industry
(Bentsen & Thodesen, 2005). According to Gjedrem (2010), the estimated
genetic gain for growth rate has been approximately 14%
per generation, with a benefit/cost ratio estimated at 15/1.
However, in the poultry industry, rapid muscle growth has been
associated with atrophy of fibres and loss of connective integrity
and soft texture.