Robert Jimmy Aquaculture Adviser WP5 SPC/FAO Joint Paper on work in progress towards Regional Aquatic Biosecurity Strategy development Robert Jimmy Aquaculture Adviser

Process so far in aquatic biosecurity development OUTLINE Purpose of the Paper Process so far in aquatic biosecurity development PICT inputs/interventions Programme elements Actions already being undertaken Next step

PURPOSE highlight the work in progress for the development of regional aquatic biosecurity framework based on outcome of the recent SPC/FAO Regional Aquatic Biosecurity Workshop in Nadi, October, 2012; invite Heads of Fisheries to discuss and endorse the elements that would comprise the development of the regional aquatic biosecurity framework.

What is Biosecurity A strategic and integrated approach that encompasses both policy and regulatory frameworks; biosecurity is aimed at analyzing and managing the RISKS of the sectors dealing with: Food safety Plant life and health Animal (+aquatic) life and health Environment

Biosecurity and Aquaculture In aquaculture, biosecurity is a collective term that refers to the concept of applying appropriate measures (e.g., proactive disease risk analysis) to reduce the probability of a biological organism or agent spreading to an individual, population, or ecosystem, and to mitigate the adverse impact that may result (Arthur et al. 2004). This analysis is done in a way that incorporates the best information available on aspects of husbandry, epidemiology, and sound science.

Process so far to develop the Biosecurity Framework (also see para Process so far to develop the Biosecurity Framework (also see para. 4 of WP5) 2008, HOF6, Fisheries Heads endorsed aquatic biosecurity as a new programme for SPC FAME 2010, 2012 OIE WAHIS workshop recommendations to strengthen capacity in avoidance, detection and reporting of aquatic animal diseases 2011, HOF7, SPC/FAO Regional Aquaculture Scoping workshop (biosecurity emerged as the top priority) 2012 SPC/FAO Regional Aquatic Biosecurity Workshop convened to develop the regional aquatic biosecurity programme

Process to develop the Biosecurity Framework cntd. Frequent PICT country requests for assistance and capacity-building in Risk Assessment for aquatic species introductions Interventions by PICTs at recent FAO COFI meetings, and decisions of Heads (HoF7 - WP5) stressed the importance to this region of access to, and responsible use of, aquatic genetic resources for fisheries and aquaculture

Example of PICT input to FAO COFI process  SPC funded Cook Islands to attend as PICTs’ representative to COFI sub-committee on aquaculture (Cape Town 2012). Cook Islands made this intervention on the region’s behalf:  “PICTs call for FAO to provide technical assistance on reviewing the status of aquatic genetic resources management at regional and national level, by assessing needs and capacities at both of these levels and by facilitating regional priorities-setting.   PICTs would like to ensure that access to improved varieties for aquaculture is maintained and that capacity to introduce and farm them responsibly is increased”

TWO CORE COMPONENTS i Aquatic Animal Health develop capacity of PICTs on aquaculture biosecurity governance through a regional framework and programme on aquatic animal health that will enable PICTs to manage biosecurity threats derived from or affecting aquaculture industries Ii Aquatic Species Introduction promote responsible use and control of introduced or translocated aquatic species in aquaculture and fisheries in the PICTs

Aquatic Species Introduction Results of the Survey from 18 PICTs attending the Regional Biosecurity Framework workshop in 2012 highlighted the following major constraints Aquatic Animal Health Aquatic Species Introduction specific policy, dedicated infrastructure, capacity, appropriate legislation, enforcement, public awareness, coordination between agencies dedicated funding, Regulatory framework; FAO data base on aquatic species introductions (DIAS); international instruments and guidelines and the applicability at the national level on aquatic species introductions; Capacity at the national level on applying risk analysis for aquatic species introductions; address knowledge gaps to better enable science-based decisions to be made about aquatic species introductions

MAJOR PROGRAMME ELEMENTS GAPS ACTIVITIES 1. Policy and regulatory framework Develop/update national aquatic biosecurity strategies. 2. Risk analysis Improve capacity on risk analysis through training workshops at the national/subregional/ regional level 3. Pathogen lists Develop national & regional pathogen lists 4. International instruments and guidelines applicable to aquatic species introduction Develop a set of guidelines for PICTs regarding aquatic species introductions and translocations. Develop biosecurity measures templates (e.g. import standards, quarantine protocols) for commodities that are actively transported within the region Review the importance of aquatic genetic resources and identify actions to address constraints and gaps in knowledge

MAJOR PROGRAMME ELEMENTS GAPS ACTIVITIES 5. Diagnostics, health certification & quarantine Conduct training at regional and national levels on quarantine protocols for aquatic animals. Official designation of a regional or subregional laboratory for aquatic animal health 6. Surveillance, monitoring and reporting . Improve national capacity to comply with OIE World Aquatic Animal Health Information System (WAHIS) reporting (national and regional reporting and feedback system). Establish a design for a regional surveillance system for a list of priority diseases. 7. Regional and international cooperation. Develop a regional reference laboratory to assist PICTs with disease diagnostics in order to improve existing quarantine measures for aquatic animals (e.g. sample processing, pathology, molecular analysis) .

Actions already being taken COFI Advisory Working Group on Genetic Resources now being established by FAO (Cape Town COFI Sub-committee on aquaculture called for this group to be formed – subsequently endorsed by 2012 COFI in Rome). SPC represented this region at an FAO meeting (Jan 2013) to draft Terms of Reference for the Advisory Group

Actions already being taken FAO has launched a State of the World’s Aquatic Genetic Resources (SoW AqGR) review The set-up of this Advisory Group, and the SoW AqGR process, both afford opportunities for issues of concern for PICTs to be addressed.

Actions already being take SPC input to Micronesion biosecurity plan SPC responding to country requests on IRA, e.g. for sea cucumber (Kiribati), seaweed (Fiji) cobia (PNG), tilapia (Solomon Islands) Training for Fiji and Kiribati sandfish quarantine and disease diagnostics (SPC) National Risk Analysis training for Palau, RMI, FSM & Tonga (FAO) Integration of aquatic biosecurity into terrestrial animal health, e.g. OIE reporting

Joint SPC-FAO Scoping Paper outlining a programme of actions Next steps Subject to your endorsement of the elements of the Regional Aquatic Biosecurity framework: Joint SPC-FAO Scoping Paper outlining a programme of actions Seek support to implement priority actions, e.g. FAO regional TCP (or set of national TCPs) SPC programme funds Leverage co-financing e.g. from Commission on Genetic Resources, or CBD Secretariat, or SPREP.

Next steps SPC can continue to look for support to establish the Aquatic Biosecurity Officer position endorsed in principle by Heads at HoF6 and which is again called for by Vanuatu, Fiji and FSM in this HOF8.

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