Bergen, Norway-based aquaculture genetics solutions firm Benchmark Genetics announced the release of a new DNA parentage test for shrimp-breeding programs called BenchTrace.
The new program will help shrimp-breeding operations identify various factors such as family relationships, pedigrees, and other valuable genetic data ahead of breeding shrimp populations commercially.
“BenchTrace delivers fast, reliable parentage information to support better breeding decisions," Benchmark Genetics Business Development Manager Maria Nayfa said in a release. "In species like shrimp, faster results can enable earlier selection and mating, potentially shortening generation intervals. More generations in less time means faster genetic progress.”
Without a parentage testing process, the company said shrimp families have to be reared separately until physical tagging can be completed. This process can be complicated without a single control environment and holds the risk of error on performance assessments. In internal validation trials, Benchmark Genetics said BenchTrace achieved up to 99.9 percent parentage assignment accuracy on its datasets
The BenchTrace process starts with a tissue sample. Then, DNA is extracted and genotyped to create the parentage assignment. With the new program, results are available in weeks, greatly speeding up the typical process.
The release comes after Benchmark Genetics has undergone several C-suite and ownership changes. Novo Holdings acquired the company in November 2024, and in July 2025, Patrick Waty was named the new CEO. Then, in April 2026, Thomas Samdal was named the new CFO.
BenchTrace has become the latest in a wide portfolio of genetics services and products for the firm, most recently including genomic mapping for European clam species.
