Proposals of Pathology activities for 1995 and onwards

Background

In all MEDRAP countries the status of fish pathology is still more or less in its infancy (as is the industry itself in a good number of cases) with very few institutions being in any way involved with fish pathology diagnostic, research and development work.

Diseases reported and investigated are largely of parasitic origin reflecting probably the more straight forward nature if the diagnostic techniques involved. A few microbiological conditions were described of which only a small number have been investigated in sufficient detail.

Virus conditions have only been studied ultrastructurally with very little success having been recorded in tissue culture.

MEDRAP II have already collected statistics and it is the aim of the newly-formed network to keep an updated set of statistics always available.

The establishment of a data base in this sector is highly desirable.

Conclusions and Recommendations of the Lisbon (Nov. 92) meeting

Referring to the list of urgent needs in the discipline of fish pathology in the Mediterranean as approved by workshop delegates on 25/11/92 (workshop report reffers), it was agreed that priorities be established and a limited number of top priority but low cost deficiencies be tackled in order to keep within a moderately ambitious and realistic set of objectives. This approach is more likely to lead to the success of the same time give the required breathing space to prepare thoroughly for the equally urgent but more expensive needs.

Conclusions of the Malta Working Group of experts

The Malta working group of experts reviewed the ground covered in Lisbon and agreed to put forward the following priorities at the forthcoming Saragossa meeting.

1. Updating Current Capabilities.

   It was recognised that the MEDRAP II Project had already carried out this exercise. However in some respects the data furnished by the participating countries was incomplete. Updating of the available information is thus essential to provide a reliable starting point. It is expected that by the end of MEDRAP II this should have been achieved.

2. Human Resource Development.

   Training needs at three levels were identified:

   2.1 Field level

   This entails training fish farm personnel involved in fish husbandry. It incorporates a very wide audience and therefore it should be executed on an extension service type model with the project training trainers who in turn will carry out the training in their respective countries. Such training should focus on sampling and monitoring techniques, detailed history taking, field case interpretation and prevention and treatment of disease. The principal aim would be to improve preventive capabilities in the control of fish disease.

   2.2 National level

   This entails the strengthening of the existing national expertise in fish disease. It could be achieved by a number of mechanisms such as exchange visits and organisation of training courses of workshops on topics which from time to time are considered as crucial for the development of commercial aquaculture and are likely to include histopathology, bacteriology, virology and parasitology. Topics of high priority are:

   1. training of fish veterinarians or fish pathologists in the collation and interpretation of information from the field and the laboratory which allows correct decision making in terms of prevention and treatment of fish disease;

   2. newly emerging laboratory diagnostic techniques.

      To serve as an example as well as a model it was decided to propose the organisation of such a course on methodology specific to diagnostic bacteriology in Mediterranean marine aquaculture. The target audience would be personnel who are in charge of diagnostic bacteriology for the aquaculture industry in their respective countries. Where such people do not exist at present consideration should be given to the training of veterinary or medical specialists able to carry out this function.

      It would be desirable that this course be held in a Mediterranean institution which is considered as specialised and lead laboratory in this highly specific discipline. This is likely to be in France. Italy. Spain or Portugal.

3. Specialised International Level

   It is necessary to establish in the Mediterranean region a reference centre (or group of centre in the various disciplines) in marine fish diseases which would serve primarily as:

   3.1 a reference centre for the region i.e. to establish reference collections of pathogens, data etc….

   3.2 a centre for diagnosing next disease conditions and for providing a regional service in diagnosis requiring high level technologies eg. certain virological technologies, electron microscopy.

   It is obvious however, that such an undertaking requires very substantial investments and it was considered prudent at this stage to propose the commissioning of the consultant's report on the regional need for such a centre facility and to recommend what the precise needs are as well as advice on the setting up of such centre.

4. Production of a Newsletter

   This could be entitled: Mediterranean Fish Health Network Newsletter. It could be published quarterly in English. The main scope of this newsletter would be to crate a permanent forum of rapid exchange of new ideas and developments throughout the Mediterranean region in the discipline of fish pathology. Interested members were urged to contribute generously so as to ensure the establishment and long-term success of this publication.

5. Review Publication on Mediterranean Fish Diseases

   In order to rectify the lack of information on fish pathology in the region and its disparate distribution it was agreed to explore the possibility of commissioning a comprehensive review of the state of the knowledge on Mediterranean marine fish pathology which apart from reviewing the essential aspects of the discipline should emphasize current diagnostic methodology and its application to the Mediterranean region.

   In Lisbon, Dr. Matsusato, the FAO representative had strongly supported the proposal and promised he would secure financial assistance towards this publication. He referred specifically to being in a position to support a consultant for this assignment. To date no progress has been achieved on this.

6. Legislative Control Activity

   It is recognised that uniformity of legislative control is being established in the EU in areas such as notifiable disease control, chemical residues in fish flesh, environmental standards, introduction and transfer of new species. This provides a useful model for the development of specific legislation in Mediterranean countries which have not yet fully implemented such legislation. It is recommended that either an expert report be commissioned or a preliminary workshop be held in this area involving relevant responsible government officials.

1. Suggested Activities Programme on Pathology

1. General Disease Interpretation and Control Short Course (1995)

2. Short Course in Diagnostic Bacteriological Techniques (1995)

2. Suggested Joint Research (1995–1997)

   1. Winter Syndrome of Sea bream.

      Possible participating laboratories : Malta, Cyprus, Tunisia, Portugal, Italy, Croatia and Greece.

      Objective : to study various aspects of the disease such as environmental conditions that could precipitate the disease; histopathology, pathogen isolation, possible links to nutritional deficiencies, etc…. with each party concentrating on a specific aspect.

   2. Viral Disease Studies.

      Possible participating laboratories : Malta, Cyprus, Tunisia, Morrocco, France and Portugal.

      Objective : to investigate viral diseases which are of commercial significance to Mediterranean aquaculture with the various laboratories sharing the responsibilities.

3. Other Related Activities

   1. Newsletter.

      Start at 6 monthly intervals and reduce to quarterly intervals if desirable. This would be integrated with the SIPAM network.

   2. Review Publication in Mediterranean Fish Diseases

      It was recommended to ask assistance for the organisation of a specific session on Mediterranean fish diseases in a meeting associated within established activity eg. EAFP meeting and publish these proceedings.

   3. Legislative Control Activity

      Expert report or workshop as indicated above. This would be integrated with the SELAM network.

   4. Consultant's Report on Reference Centres

      It is estimated that a consultancy of two man-months is required for the implementation of this activity.