FAO Fisheries Department’s FAO Fisheries Department’s A. Role in ResearchA. Role in Research

B. Aquatic Animal Health B. Aquatic Animal Health InitiativesInitiatives

Rohana P. Subasinghe and Melba B.Reantaso

Food and Agriculture Organization

of the United Nations (FAO)

Rome, Italy

FAO Constitution gives FAO and the Fisheries Department a FAO Constitution gives FAO and the Fisheries Department a clear mandate to undertake, promote and support technical, clear mandate to undertake, promote and support technical, policy and prospective studies relating to fisheries policy and prospective studies relating to fisheries management and sustainable development at the management and sustainable development at the international, regional and national levels.international, regional and national levels.Although ‘pure’ research in the traditional sense is not Although ‘pure’ research in the traditional sense is not undertaken within the Fisheries Department, a range of undertaken within the Fisheries Department, a range of activities by FAO staff do fall within the broader category of activities by FAO staff do fall within the broader category of ‘applied’ research, in the sense of all ‘applied’ research, in the sense of all knowldegeknowldege--generating generating activities leading to a better understanding of fisheries activities leading to a better understanding of fisheries resources, their environment and ways in which they are resources, their environment and ways in which they are exploited and managed.exploited and managed.The Fisheries Department promotes broad based research The Fisheries Department promotes broad based research programmes focussed on development and management programmes focussed on development and management issues and concepts necessary for the elaboration of policy issues and concepts necessary for the elaboration of policy advice.advice.

The Fisheries Department cooperates with a The Fisheries Department cooperates with a diverse range of national and international diverse range of national and international institutions and organizations in the execution of its institutions and organizations in the execution of its research related activities.research related activities.ShortShort-- and longand long--term term partnerhip partnerhip arrangements are arrangements are implemented in a contractual, collaborative, implemented in a contractual, collaborative, cooperative or collegiate mode depending on the cooperative or collegiate mode depending on the activity concerned, and the type of relationship activity concerned, and the type of relationship between FAO and the partners and their capabilities between FAO and the partners and their capabilities and strengths.and strengths.Research partnership is an essential activity of the Research partnership is an essential activity of the DepartmentDepartment

Advisory Committee on Advisory Committee on Fisheries Research (AFCR)Fisheries Research (AFCR)

Statutory body of FAO to advise Statutory body of FAO to advise FAO’sFAO’s DG on DG on research and researchresearch and research--related matters for fisheries related matters for fisheries and aquaculture.and aquaculture.Research advise provided to Research advise provided to FAO’sFAO’s Committee on Committee on Fisheries (COFI) during its regular meeting.Fisheries (COFI) during its regular meeting.

FAO’sFAO’s aquaculture health aquaculture health management initiatives/activitiesmanagement initiatives/activities

Regional Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP)Regional Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP)–– AsiaAsia--Pacific with NACA/OIE/AAHRI and 21 governments Pacific with NACA/OIE/AAHRI and 21 governments

(1999(1999--2001)2001)Regional technical guidelines on health management with Regional technical guidelines on health management with implementation procedures and diagnostic guideimplementation procedures and diagnostic guideNational strategies on aquatic animal healthNational strategies on aquatic animal healthSurveillance and quarterly disease reportingSurveillance and quarterly disease reportingAquatic animal pathogen and quarantine information system Aquatic animal pathogen and quarantine information system (AAPQIS)(AAPQIS)

–– Latin America with 14 governments (2002Latin America with 14 governments (2002--2003)2003)Health management in shrimp cultureHealth management in shrimp culture

National National TCPsTCPs–– Myanmar, Philippines, Indonesia, LatviaMyanmar, Philippines, Indonesia, Latvia

Partnerships in expert consultations/workshops: Partnerships in expert consultations/workshops: examplesexamples

–– Indonesia’s MMAF: Indonesia’s MMAF: Disease emergency preparedness Disease emergency preparedness (2004)(2004)

–– US Department of State/NACA: IUS Department of State/NACA: Invasive alien species nvasive alien species and associatedand associated transboundarytransboundary pathogens (2004)pathogens (2004)

–– OIE/DFO Canada: OIE/DFO Canada: Surveillance and zoning for aquatic Surveillance and zoning for aquatic animal diseases (2002)animal diseases (2002)

–– APEC/NACA/APEC/NACA/DoFDoF Thailand/Mexico: Thailand/Mexico: Risk analysis for Risk analysis for aquatic animal movement (2002)aquatic animal movement (2002)

–– APEC/Mexico: APEC/Mexico: Development of harmonized standards on Development of harmonized standards on aquatic animal health management (2000)aquatic animal health management (2000)

–– ACIAR/NACA: ACIAR/NACA: DNA based molecular techniques for DNA based molecular techniques for aquatic animal pathogens and diseases (1999)aquatic animal pathogens and diseases (1999)

Partnerships in expert consultations/workshops: Partnerships in expert consultations/workshops: examplesexamples

–– WB/WWF/NACA: WB/WWF/NACA: Shrimp Consortium Shrimp Consortium –– Management Management strategies for major diseases in shrimp aquaculture(1999)strategies for major diseases in shrimp aquaculture(1999)

–– DFID/NACA/GOB: Primary aquatic animal health care in DFID/NACA/GOB: Primary aquatic animal health care in rural, smallrural, small--scale aquaculture development (1999)scale aquaculture development (1999)

–– SEAFDEC: SEAFDEC: Chemical use in Asian aquaculture (1996)Chemical use in Asian aquaculture (1996)–– FHS/NACA: FHS/NACA: Health management in Asian aquaculture Health management in Asian aquaculture

(1995)(1995)

OthersOthers

–– Member of Member of OIE’s OIE’s Fish Disease CommissionFish Disease Commission–– Member of Member of NACA’s NACA’s Regional Advisory Group on Aquatic Regional Advisory Group on Aquatic

Animal HealthAnimal Health

Contribution of aquaculture to total wo rld f isheries landings 1970 – 2001

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

1970 1972 1974 1976 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000

AQUACULTURE CAPTURE FISHERIES

Total aquaculture production in 2001 was 48.4 mmt or 34.1% of total world fisheries landings of 142.1 mmt (FAOSTAT, 2003)

Million Metric Tons

93.7 mmt

48.4 mmt

Aquaculture growthAquaculture growth

Time periodTime period CrustaceansCrustaceans MolluscsMolluscs FreshwaterFreshwaterfishfish

DiadromousDiadromousfishfish

MarineMarinefishfish

19701970--20022002 18.1%18.1% 7.8%7.8% 9.6%9.6% 7.4%7.4% 10.5%10.5%

19801980--20022002 15.6%15.6% 8.8%8.8% 11.3%11.3% 7.8%7.8% 8.9%8.9%

19901990--20022002 9.0%9.0% 10.4%10.4% 9.8%9.8% 6.6%6.6% 12.0%12.0%

19951995--20022002 9.9%9.9% 5.3%5.3% 7.8%7.8% 7.9%7.9% 12.3%12.3%

20002000--20022002 11.0%11.0% 4.6%4.6% 5.8%5.8% 6.7%6.7% 9.5%9.5%

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

1970 1973 1976 1979 1982 1985 1988 1991 1994 1997 2000

Total global farmed terrestrial and aquatic meat production Total global farmed terrestrial and aquatic meat production 19701970--2001 (Source: FAOSTAT, 2003)2001 (Source: FAOSTAT, 2003)

HOG/PIG MEAT (APR 3.1%)

BEEF & VEAL (APR 1.2%)

POULTRY MEAT (APR 5.1%)

MUTTON & LAMB (APR 1.0%)

AQUATIC MEAT (APR 9.4%)

Million Metric Tons

(APR 70-01)

Major issues and challengesMajor issues and challengesAquaculture is an income generating activity.Aquaculture is an income generating activity.Rapid sector growth has, in some instances, Rapid sector growth has, in some instances, outstripped planning and regulatory activities. outstripped planning and regulatory activities. There are regulatory rebounds, resource use There are regulatory rebounds, resource use conflicts, image problems.conflicts, image problems.The role of aquaculture in food security has been The role of aquaculture in food security has been a major concern of the sector for many years.a major concern of the sector for many years.Maintaining sustainability, achieving food safety Maintaining sustainability, achieving food safety and quality, promoting equity, and improving and quality, promoting equity, and improving health and health and BiosecurityBiosecurity are major challenges. are major challenges.

Keeping up with safety and Keeping up with safety and qualityquality

There is a need forThere is a need for aquaculturistsaquaculturists to develop systems for to develop systems for farming aquatic animals that assures food safetyfarming aquatic animals that assures food safetyRisk assessments, HACCP and GHP are all important. Risk assessments, HACCP and GHP are all important. New demands for traceNew demands for trace--ability of aquaculture productsability of aquaculture productsNot easy with the large number of smallNot easy with the large number of small--scale farmersscale farmersSubstantial institutional reSubstantial institutional re--organization, legal and policy organization, legal and policy development, awareness raising and capacity building development, awareness raising and capacity building efforts will be essential efforts will be essential

Keeping up with safety and Keeping up with safety and qualityquality

This further emphasizes the need for harmonization of This further emphasizes the need for harmonization of food safety assurance procedures food safety assurance procedures There is a need therefore to better understand the There is a need therefore to better understand the implications of new food safety standards and implications of new food safety standards and international trading standards for smallinternational trading standards for small--scale farmersscale farmersAsian aquaculture systems have many traditional and Asian aquaculture systems have many traditional and diverse advantages in safe, healthy and sustainable diverse advantages in safe, healthy and sustainable seafood productionseafood production–– Ecologically sound integrated farming systems. Ecologically sound integrated farming systems. –– Collaborative research and development should be used to Collaborative research and development should be used to

encourage both the traditions and innovations in aquaculture encourage both the traditions and innovations in aquaculture farming that can give the region comparative advantage in this farming that can give the region comparative advantage in this new trading environment. new trading environment.

Combating disease and managing Combating disease and managing healthhealth

The current trend to meet the demand for more The current trend to meet the demand for more aquatic food, through expansion, intensification, aquatic food, through expansion, intensification, and diversification, will continue to provoke the and diversification, will continue to provoke the emergence and recurrence of disease emergence and recurrence of disease challenges. challenges. How industry, government and other How industry, government and other stakeholders rise to meet these challenges will stakeholders rise to meet these challenges will dictate how aquaculture survives and achieves dictate how aquaculture survives and achieves true sustainability.true sustainability.Most important consideration for achieving Most important consideration for achieving better health is to improve and/or maintain strict better health is to improve and/or maintain strict Biosecurity.Biosecurity.

Developing countries: research Developing countries: research opportunities and challengesopportunities and challenges

BiosecurityBiosecurityEpidemiologyEpidemiologyRisk analysisRisk analysis

Highly interrelated all aimed at making good use Highly interrelated all aimed at making good use of scientific research for disease prevention of scientific research for disease prevention and control and control

Epidemiological research and risk analysis are Epidemiological research and risk analysis are basic requirements of abasic requirements of a biosecuritybiosecurity programprogram

Driven by trade and increasing consumer Driven by trade and increasing consumer demand for high quality and healthy productdemand for high quality and healthy product

Developing countries: research Developing countries: research opportunities and challengesopportunities and challenges

BiosecurityBiosecurity–– Increasing as aquaculture develops and as new hostIncreasing as aquaculture develops and as new host--

pathogenpathogen--environment interactions are testedenvironment interactions are tested–– Makes good use of scienceMakes good use of science–– A cost effective way of managing disease risksA cost effective way of managing disease risks–– Research emphasis on generating information to support Research emphasis on generating information to support

biosecurity biosecurity assessments to improve their accuracy and betterassessments to improve their accuracy and better--targeted risk management measurestargeted risk management measures

–– An important initial step is educating farmers about the risks, An important initial step is educating farmers about the risks, good risk management practices and how to reduce the risk of good risk management practices and how to reduce the risk of disease spread between neighbours disease spread between neighbours –– local networks to help local networks to help raise awareness and foster cooperative approach to problemraise awareness and foster cooperative approach to problem

–– Have achievable objectives, commensurate with available Have achievable objectives, commensurate with available resources and technologies; should take into account impact resources and technologies; should take into account impact and benefits to farmers; regularly reviewed, cost effective and and benefits to farmers; regularly reviewed, cost effective and addressing current threats.addressing current threats.

Developing countries: research Developing countries: research opportunities and challengesopportunities and challenges

Epidemiology: mostly in humans and livestock, far less in Epidemiology: mostly in humans and livestock, far less in aquatic animals but gaining more attention as it can provide aquatic animals but gaining more attention as it can provide realistic solutions to aquaculture problemsrealistic solutions to aquaculture problems

–– Morbidity and mortality rates, DistributionMorbidity and mortality rates, Distribution–– Pattern of spread, Nature of the pathogenPattern of spread, Nature of the pathogen–– Incubation period, Routes of transmissionIncubation period, Routes of transmission–– Risk factors, InterventionsRisk factors, Interventions–– Advise farmers to develop a system of notification to prevent Advise farmers to develop a system of notification to prevent

infection spreadinfection spread–– Human health implicationHuman health implicationNeeds:Needs: Capacity building and training, better experimental design Capacity building and training, better experimental design

and surveillance techniques, emergency preparedness and and surveillance techniques, emergency preparedness and responseresponse

Developing countries: research Developing countries: research opportunities and challengesopportunities and challenges

Risk analysisRisk analysis–– Health status and services of trading partnersHealth status and services of trading partners–– Biological pathways for introduction (release assessment), Biological pathways for introduction (release assessment),

establishment (exposure assessment) and spread (consequence establishment (exposure assessment) and spread (consequence assessment) of a pathogenassessment) of a pathogen

–– Host susceptibilityHost susceptibility–– Modes of transmissionModes of transmission–– Prevalence and incidence of disease occurrencePrevalence and incidence of disease occurrence–– Infectivity, virulence andInfectivity, virulence and stabillitystabillity–– Intermediate hosts and vectorsIntermediate hosts and vectors–– Effects of processing, storage and transportEffects of processing, storage and transport

Movement back to basic Movement back to basic investigatory investigatory studies studies –– more general more general observational information needed to allow accurate observational information needed to allow accurate biosecurity biosecurity risk assessment and risk managementrisk assessment and risk managementOutput of a risk analysis can assist in prioritising future Output of a risk analysis can assist in prioritising future research research

How could research assist in establishment of How could research assist in establishment of better management practices, self regulation and better management practices, self regulation and empowerment of small farmers as a practical empowerment of small farmers as a practical way forward towards improvingway forward towards improving biosecuritybiosecurity in in aquaculture in developing countries?aquaculture in developing countries?

Fish Health SectionFish Health SectionAsian Fisheries SocietyAsian Fisheries Society

Melba B. ReantasoMelba B. ReantasoChairperson Chairperson

Executive Committee Executive Committee (2002(2002--2005)2005)

HistoryHistory1985: Asian Fish Health Network with IDRC support1985: Asian Fish Health Network with IDRC support1986: First AFHN meeting in conjunction with First AFS 1986: First AFHN meeting in conjunction with First AFS meeting meeting –– raised the idea of forming a regional society for raised the idea of forming a regional society for fish health; AFHN Coordinator (Dr JR Arthur) fish health; AFHN Coordinator (Dr JR Arthur) –– Fish Health Fish Health Workers Workers Questionaire Questionaire -- to 130 fish health workersto 130 fish health workers1987: Second AFHN meeting reviewed the results of the 1987: Second AFHN meeting reviewed the results of the questionnaires and established two adquestionnaires and established two ad--hoc committees: hoc committees: organisingorganising and newsletter; AFS agreed to establish “Fish and newsletter; AFS agreed to establish “Fish Health Study Group”.Health Study Group”.1989: FHS officially established during the Third AFHN 1989: FHS officially established during the Third AFHN meeting initially with 20 AFS membersmeeting initially with 20 AFS members1990: 90 members1990: 90 members1992 to present: > 300 members1992 to present: > 300 members

Specific GoalsSpecific GoalsTo promote effective interaction and cooperation among To promote effective interaction and cooperation among persons involved in aquatic animal health research;persons involved in aquatic animal health research;To encourage and promote investigation and advances in To encourage and promote investigation and advances in knowledge in aquatic animal health;knowledge in aquatic animal health;To focus attention on aquatic animal health problems by To focus attention on aquatic animal health problems by disseminating technical and other information on all disseminating technical and other information on all aspects of aquatic animal health; andaspects of aquatic animal health; andTo promote the proper implementation of effective aquatic To promote the proper implementation of effective aquatic animal health protection practices in the regionanimal health protection practices in the region

ActivitiesActivitiesTriennial basis Triennial basis –– Symposium on Diseases in Asian Symposium on Diseases in Asian Aquaculture (DAA) Aquaculture (DAA) –– a meeting of both members and nona meeting of both members and non--members to discuss broad issues and specific topics members to discuss broad issues and specific topics related to aquatic animal healthrelated to aquatic animal healthCompile and disseminate proceedings, notes and abstracts Compile and disseminate proceedings, notes and abstracts of FHS sponsored and coof FHS sponsored and co--sponsored aquatic animal sponsored aquatic animal disease conferences and workshops disease conferences and workshops –– to section members to section members and the general public;and the general public;Promote the development and use of standardized, Promote the development and use of standardized, internationally accepted techniques for the detection and internationally accepted techniques for the detection and diagnosis of diseases of aquatic animals of regional diagnosis of diseases of aquatic animals of regional importance. importance.

Diseases in Asian AquacultureDiseases in Asian Aquaculture

DAA I: 1989, BaliDAA I: 1989, BaliDAA II: 1992, DAA II: 1992, PhuketPhuketDAA III: 1995, BangkokDAA III: 1995, BangkokDAA IV: 1999, DAA IV: 1999, CebuCebuDAA V: 2002, DAA V: 2002, GoldcoastGoldcoast

Diseases in Asian AquacultureDiseases in Asian Aquaculture

DAA VI: 2005, ColomboDAA VI: 2005, Colombo–– Training course Training course

Ornamental Fish HealthOrnamental Fish Health

–– WorkshopWorkshopPANDAPANDANCNC--CVOCVO

–– FAO Expert ConsultationFAO Expert ConsultationHealth Guidelines toHealth Guidelines toSupport CCRFSupport CCRF

–– 77thth TGM of FHS/AFSTGM of FHS/AFS

PublicationsPublicationsDAA I, II, III, IV, V DAA I, II, III, IV, V (in preparation)(in preparation)Disease Disease BibliographiesBibliographiesGrouper HealthGrouper HealthNewsletterNewsletterEE--newsletternewsletter

What can FHS/AFS offer?What can FHS/AFS offer?FHS/AFS FHS/AFS provides an authoritative, holistic and current overview of provides an authoritative, holistic and current overview of important developments on the subjectimportant developments on the subjectprovides a regional forum for discussion, dissemination and provides a regional forum for discussion, dissemination and cooperation on scientific research in aquatic animal healthcooperation on scientific research in aquatic animal healthprovides a venue for presentation of the latest scientific provides a venue for presentation of the latest scientific findings on original research and various aspects of aquatic findings on original research and various aspects of aquatic animal health management in Asian aquaculture animal health management in Asian aquaculture provides a venue for interaction among aquatic animal provides a venue for interaction among aquatic animal health workers in the region and outsidehealth workers in the region and outside

Thank You!Thank You!