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ABSTRACT

Aquatic animal diseases are recognized as one of the main threats to aquaculture production and growth, with an estimated global cost exceeding USD 6 billion annually. Strengthening biosecurity and disease control measures is therefore fundamental to sustaining aquaculture development, protecting aquatic environments, and safeguarding economic and social benefits. In the Mediterranean and Black Sea region, the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) has been spearheading efforts to address these challenges through tailored strategies that emphasize good farm management, early disease prevention, and food safety. The growing challenges posed by climate change – including the heightened spread of diseases in aquaculture – further underscore the need for proactive and coordinated mitigation measures. In line with these regional efforts, a Regional Workshop on Aquatic Animal Health and Biosecurity was convened on 5–6 May 2025 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (hybrid format)1. Organized under the auspices of the GFCM’s Aquatic Animal Health and Biosecurity Technical Advisory Group (TAG-AHB), the workshop focused on enhancing disease surveillance, improving control measures, and sharing best practices for managing key pathogens in aquaculture. The event brought together more than 4,000 participants, both online and in person, including experts, national focal points, and stakeholders from across the Mediterranean and Near East regions. The workshop served as a platform to review current aquatic animal health challenges, exchange knowledge on emerging diseases, and identify critical issues requiring urgent action at the regional level. Notably, discussions highlighted the importance of robust early-warning systems, harmonized biosecurity standards, and capacity building in diagnostics and risk management to combat transboundary aquatic disease threats. The key conclusions and recommendations from this workshop reflect the urgent need for coordinated regional action to strengthen aquatic animal health and biosecurity. These outcomes – which align with ongoing initiatives such as the planned regional aquatic disease monitoring network – emphasize improved disease monitoring and reporting, enhanced farm-level biosecurity protocols, and stronger collaboration among countries. The following consolidated conclusions and priority recommendations are hereby submitted for consideration by the GFCM Scientific Advisory Committee on Aquaculture (CAQ) to guide future regional actions and policy development.