History of Fish Health Management Management practices designed to prevent fish disease episodes in confined or free ranging fish populations. Aquaculture: The art and science of rearing aquatic organisms (finfish, shellfish, aquatic reptiles, amphibians, and plants) under controlled conditions.  

History of Fish Health Management The occurrence of disease in fish was known prior to 1900’s but was of no practical significance Advancement in knowledge is directly related to development of intensive aquaculture North America – development associated with AFS Developed separately from health sciences of other animal groups

History of Fish Health Management Requires much different approach than terrestrial animals Environmental factors (Aquatic) Must have knowledge of environment and animal to effectively manage around/diagnose disease

History of Fish Health Management Early reports related to fish disease (very little) Aristotle (330 BC) Discussed a crustacean parasite of tuna and swordfish Lake Geneva Switzerland (1867) Reports of disease (typhus) in fish Yellow discharge from vent (probably due to lack of food)

History of Fish Health - Disease in Salmon and Eels (1868) “Pestis salmonum” or “Pestis rubra anguillarum” - Disease now known as vibriosis Furunculosis (1896) Cultured trout in Germany “Bacterium salmonicida” First referenced in US in 1902 Very serious disease

History of Fish Health Furunculosis committee (1928) – Great Britain Set up to help combat disease Increased interest in other diseases of fish Made people aware – Research began to investigate pathological changes in fish due to disease (1930’s to 1950’s) Disease agent characterization Most research done as a hobby not profession

History of Fish Health Fish culturists Became aware of the relationship to fish health and stocking in troughs, raceways and ponds Not all diseases were infectious Began to disinfect equipment Was a learning process Toxic substances Advent of insecticides/herbicides Causes fish health and environmental problems

History of Fish Health 1947 to 1960 Rapid progress Advances in nutrition Development of antibiotic/chemical therapy for fish disease control better disinfectants Viral diseases of fish discovered IPN (1960) implications for control/spread of pathogens

History of Fish Health Fish importation/transportation (’60s and ’70s) Moved fish and eggs everywhere Fish health specialists advocated control of the movements of fish/fish eggs AFS formed Fish Disease Committee (FDC) in 1964 - 1972 developed to examine disease problems among fish

History of Fish Health FDC promoted restrictions fish movement developed USFWS Title 50 – this restricted movement of certain food or sport fishes (1969) Fish movement now only allowed for certified pathogen free fish (Board certified fish pathologists) Ornamental fish still remain free of such restrictions FDC replaced by Fish Health Section of AFS in 1972

History of Fish Health Current Status made great progress still much to do to bring up to the level of knowledge for other animals Future needs more work needed in control of disease in aquaculture and for wild populations research on Epizootiology more work on pathological processes fish immunology – disease prevention nutrition and genetics disease diagnostics