1. Fish Disease History Dr. Craig Kasper

2. History of Fish Health Management 1. Fish Health Management: Management practices designed to prevent fish disease episodes in confined or free ranging fish populations. 2. Aquaculture: The art and science of rearing aquatic organisms (finfish, shellfish, aquatic reptiles, amphibians, and plants) under controlled conditions.

3. History of Fish Health Management - The occurrence of disease in fish was known prior to 1900’s, however, it was of no practical significance! - Advancement in knowledge is directly related to development of intensive aquaculture - North America – development associated with American Fisheries Society. - Developed separately from health sciences of other animal groups

4. History of Fish Health Management - Requires much different approach than terrestrial animals. Why?? - Environmental factors (water vs. land and air) - Must have knowledge of environment and animal to effectively manage around/diagnose disease

5. History of Fish Health Management 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)

6. History of Fish Health 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

7. History of Fish Health 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

8. 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

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

10. History of Fish Health FDC (Fisheries Disease Control) - promoted isolation - 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—good or bad?? - FDC replaced by Fish Health Section of AFS in 1972