Aquaculture Biosecurity

Published in Cooperation with THE WORLD AQUACULTURE SOCIETY Aquaculture loses millions of dollars in revenue annually due to aquatic animal diseases. Disease outbreaks continue to threaten profitable and viable aquaculture operations throughout the world. As a result, aquaculture biosecurity programs that address aquatic animal pathogens and diseases have become an important focus for the aquaculture industry. Aquaculture Biosecurity: Prevention, Control, and Eradication of Aquatic Animal Disease provides valuable information that will increase success in combating infectious aquatic disease. Key representatives of international, regional, and national organizations presented their views on this important issue as part of a special session at the 2004 World Aquaculture Society Annual Conference. The chapters of this book cover a wealth of experience from the varied perspectives of these experts on biosecurity, policies, and measures to take the offensive against the spread of diseases in aquatic animals. With contributions from renowned international experts, covering approaches to biosecurity policies and measures currently practiced, Aquaculture Biosecurity: Prevention, Control, and Eradication of Aquatic Animal Disease is a vital reference for all those concerned about protecting aquaculture from impacts of aquatic animal disease.

The PMP/AB refers to a pathway aimed at enhancing aquaculture biosecurity by building on existing frameworks, capacity and appropriate tools using risk-based approaches and public-private sector partnerships. It is expected to result in sustainable (i) reduction in burden of diseases; (ii) improvement of aquatic health and welfare at farm, national and regional levels; (iii) minimization of global spread of diseases; (iv) optimization of socio-economic benefits from aquaculture; (v) attraction of investment opportunities into aquaculture; and (vi) achievement of One Health goals. In the context of the PMP/AB, biosecurity refers to the cost-effective management of risks posed by pathogens to aquaculture through a strategic approach at the enterprise, local-sector, national and international levels with shared public-private responsibilities. This guidance document for PMP/AB application contains the rationale, vision, mission, scope, goals and benefits of the PMP/AB. The four stages of the PMP/AB are described in detail, including the overall objectives and key outcomes to complete each stage. It also presents a general stepwise process and recommended activities for completing the different stages. The PMP/AB checklist is divided into four broad categories, namely: Sectors and Stakeholders; Aquatic Health Services; Surveillance, Monitoring and Diagnostics; and Management and Evaluation.

This report highlights the accomplishments of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) consultations and round-table discussions on the PMP/AB that were held during 2019. These include the following: (i) the Second Multi-Stakeholder Consultation on the Progressive Management Pathway for Improving Aquaculture Biosecurity (PMP/AB2) (29–31 January 2019); (ii) the Progressive Management Pathway for Improving Aquaculture Biosecurity (PMP/AB): First Technical Working Group Meeting (TWG1) (20–22 March 2019); and (iii) the Roundtable Discussions on Aquaculture Biosecurity (22–26 July 2019). It reports on the progress made towards formulating, planning and developing implementation mechanisms for the PMP/AB, based on the comments and recommendations provided by the wide range of stakeholders and experts who participated in these events. In August 2019, the Tenth Session of the Committee on Fisheries (COFI) Sub-Committee on Aquaculture, held in Trondheim, Norway endorsed the PMP/AB and the development of a multidonor-assisted, long-term aquaculture biosecurity component of an aquaculture programme, including its five pillars. Therefore, the FAO, through its Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, now has a mandate for the further development and implementation of the PMP/AB. Future activities include the establishment of an official Technical Working Group (TWG) that will drive the further development of the technical aspects of the PMP/AB, wider consensus building, initial application (pilot testing) and refinement of the PMP/AB tools, and resource mobilization for the aquaculture biosecurity programme. Guidance documents and resources for advocacy and training on the PMP/AB are currently in development to facilitate adoption at the national level.

Globally, the way the animal production industry copes with infectious diseases is changing. The (excessive) use of antimicrobials is under debate and it is becoming standard practice to implement thorough biosecurity plans on farms to prevent the entry and spread of pathogenic micro-organisms. Not only in farm animal production, but also in facilities where companion animals are kept, including in veterinary practices and clinics, awareness of the beneficial implications of a good biosecurity plan has raised. The book Biosecurity in Animal Production and Veterinary Medicine is the first compilation of both fundamental aspects of biosecurity practices, and specific and practical information on the application of the biosecurity measures in different animal production and animal housing settings.

This report documents the accomplishments of the FAO Project TCP/MIC/3603/C2 – “National Aquatic Animal Health and Biosecurity Strategy” that was implemented in 2019 for the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). These include the following: (i) Round-table discussions on aquaculture development, biosecurity legislation, aquatic animal health and aquaculture biosecurity (21–22 May 2019); (ii) Technical Seminar on Basic Aquatic Animal Health and Aquaculture Biosecurity (23 May 2019); (iii) National Consultation on Aquaculture Development, Biosecurity Legislation, Aquatic Animal Health (24 May 2019); and (iv) Introductory training course on risk analysis within the Progressive Management Pathway for Improving Aquaculture Biosecurity (PMP/AB) (27–28 May 2019). The various activities undertaken during the field mission provided the basis for drafting the National Strategy on Aquatic Animal Health (NSAAH) and the National Aquatic Pathogen List (NAPL) for FSM. There is a need to conduct another round of national consultations in order to generate feedback prior to finalizing the documents and approval. The next step will be to incorporate them into the government’s policy documents and work with partners for joint resource mobilization to support implementation. The report also contains a list of recommendations that the Government of FSM should consider to improve capacities in aquatic animal health and aquaculture biosecurity.

Aquaculture Health Management: Design and Operation Approaches is an essential reference for the diverse aquaculture community. With the steadily increasing importance of healthy fish production and the expansion of the animal aquaculture industry to new geographic areas, new microbial and parasitic species with pathogenic potential continue to emerge. The book covers the broad spectrum of fish and shellfish health, the functional roles of pathogen emergence, and the impacts of nutrition and preventative medicine such as pre- and probiotics, as well as chemical treatments, relevant legislation and more. This reference takes a comprehensive approach to understanding overall fish health management, making it valuable to aquaculturists, practitioners in aquatic animal health, veterinarians and all those in industry, government or academia who are interested in aquaculture and fisheries and their sustainable futures. Presents the biosecurity measures used to prevent the spread of disease Discusses fish immunology to help readers understand preventive medicine for a healthy fish production Examines the latest scientific methods and technologies to maximize efficiencies for healthy fish production for farming Includes the most commonly researched fish, crustaceans and mollusks in aquaculture

The 2022 edition of The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture coincides with the launch of the Decade of Action to deliver the Global Goals, the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development and the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. It presents how these and other equally important United Nations events, such as the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture (IYAFA 2022), are being integrated and supported through Blue Transformation, a priority area of FAO’s new Strategic Framework 2022–2031 designed to accelerate achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in food and agriculture. The concept of Blue Transformation emerged from the Thirty-fourth Session of the FAO Committee on Fisheries in February 2021, and in particular the Declaration for Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture, which was negotiated and endorsed by all FAO Members. The Declaration calls for support for “an evolving and positive vision for fisheries and aquaculture in the twenty first century, where the sector is fully recognized for its contribution to fighting poverty, hunger and malnutrition.” In this context, Part 1 of this edition of The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture reviews the world status of fisheries and aquaculture, while Parts 2 and 3 are devoted to Blue Transformation and its pillars on intensifying and expanding aquaculture, improving fisheries management and innovating fisheries and aquaculture value chains. Blue Transformation emphasizes the need for forward-looking and bold actions to be launched or accelerated in coming years to achieve the objectives of the Declaration and in support of the 2030 Agenda. Part 4 covers current and high-impact emerging issues – COVID-19, climate change and gender equality – that require thorough consideration for transformative steps and preparedness to secure sustainable, efficient and equitable fisheries and aquaculture, and finally draws some outlook on future trends based on projections. The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture aims to provide objective, reliable and up-to-date information to a wide audience – policymakers, managers, scientists, stakeholders and indeed everyone interested in the fisheries and aquaculture sector.

The 2020 edition of The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture has a particular focus on sustainability. This reflects a number of specific considerations. First, 2020 marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (the Code). Second, several Sustainable Development Goal indicators mature in 2020. Third, FAO hosted the International Symposium on Fisheries Sustainability in late 2019, and fourth, 2020 sees the finalization of specific FAO guidelines on sustainable aquaculture growth, and on social sustainability along value chains. While Part 1 retains the format of previous editions, the structure of the rest of the publication has been revised. Part 2 opens with a special section marking the twenty fifth anniversary of the Code. It also focuses on issues coming to the fore, in particular, those related to Sustainable Development Goal 14 and its indicators for which FAO is the “custodian” agency. In addition, Part 2 covers various aspects of fisheries and aquaculture sustainability. The topics discussed range widely, from data and information systems to ocean pollution, product legality, user rights and climate change adaptation. Part 3 now forms the final part of the publication, covering projections and emerging issues such as new technologies and aquaculture biosecurity. It concludes by outlining steps towards a new vision for capture fisheries. The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture aims to provide objective, reliable and up-to-date information to a wide audience – policymakers, managers, scientists, stakeholders and indeed everyone interested in the fisheries and aquaculture sector.

Aquaculture Virology, Second Edition covers all the known virus families, and specific diseases that affect each aquatic organism. Descriptions of each disease includes disease name, structure and composition of virus, classification and virus replication, epidemiology, pathology and immunity, diagnostic methods (gross pathology, histopathology, cell culture, PCR, sequencing, ELISA, etc.) and prevention and control. This is an excellent reference of updated foundational and practical knowledge from experts in both academia and research.Those interested in fish viral diseases will find the book an excellent source for high quality illustrations of viral structure, diagrams of pathogenesis of diseases, and many images of gross pathology and histopathology lesions, using the same format in all chapters to facilitate the reading and studying. This second edition of the book will cover all virus families and the specific diseases relevant to aquaculture with current information delivered in a systematic and succinct way to the researcher, teacher, student, diagnostic laboratory staff, clinical veterinarian, aquaculture disease practitioner, farmer, and all people that are interested in viruses in general. Provides unique, comprehensive information on animal pathogens and viruses found in aquaculture and fisheries Presents high-quality illustrations of viral structure, diagrams of viral disease processes, gross pathology, and histopathology lesions to aid in understanding Incorporates all updated changes in taxonomy since the first edition Includes a new chapter on the impact of climate change on the manifestations of different aquatic animal viral diseases Describes aquatic viruses of the major aquatic animals, fish, crustaceans, and mollusks

Aquaculture can be defined as the controlled production of aquatic organisms such as fish, crustaceans, mollusks, algae, and other organisms. Today, aquaculture is not only the fastest-growing industry but also the only way to supply safe and sustainable seafood production. However, the aquaculture industry needs novel technologies, which may provide solutions to increase sustainable and profitable aquaculture production. Aquaculture Industry – Recent Advances and Applications holds different aspects of aquaculture and includes seven chapters that have been written by experts in their research fields.