March 28, 2008

 

US aquaculture association urges more checks on fish pathogens

 

 

The US National Aquaculture Association has backed a plan to harmonise regulatory standards on fish across states.

 

The NAA said that harmonisation between states should help to eliminate regulatory conflict and boost efforts to reduce the spread of dangerous pathogens between states that are served by common watersheds.

 

"Our association is concerned about the spread of serious pathogens that could negatively impact our aquatic animal production," said Dr John R MacMillan, the president of the NAA in the letter to the committee.

 

Macmillan said it is critical to first examine state import regulations and certification standards to determine if existent procedures have failed to protect fishery resources.

 

However, he added that domestically farmed fishes moved through interstates are already subject to extensive testing and certification requirements.

 

He suggested that if current regulations already provide adequate protection to state fishery resources, it would be unnecessary to add further requirements.

 

Dr MacMillan said one issue of concern by the NAA is the emergence of the Great Lakes strain of VHSv in wild fish, which would highlight the weaknesses in most state certification requirements.

 

"Non-inspected feral fishes are frequently moved between watersheds and across state boundaries and these movements should be subject to critical certification efforts," he said. The NAA also called for state resources to be targeted on pathogens that are threatening state fishery resources.

 

Some pathogens are likely in imported farmed fishes have been present for many years without causing harm but have become established in state fishery resources, he said.

 

He added that it is pointless to create new standards on farmed fishes that do not take into account the risk element of feral fishes.

 

The NAA has now called on the fish health committee to consider whether existing NE region farmed fish health certification standards been effective in protecting state fishery resources from currently required fish pathogens.

Macmillon said he believes farmed fish are safe and suggest it is not justifiable to create additional certification standards for farmed domestic fishes involved in interstate movement.

 

The NAA also asked that if a pathogen is already present in the state resources, then the committee should look at whether there are statewide efforts to eradicate it and if these are not present, the committee should examine whether the pathogen is likely to become established.

 

Macmillion said he believes farmed fishes imported into the North-East region have not introduced any pathogens, thanks to the effectiveness of existing certifications.

 

He added that they believe that the GReat Lakes strain of the VHSv is the one emerging pathogen that needs to be scrutinized and as there are checks in place for farmed fish, the committee needs to turn its attention to feral fish.