1. National reports - overview of regional status Regional Workshop 2: Improving Capacity for Diagnosis of Fish and Molluscan Diseases Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 20-24 October 2013, Hotel Palas

2. Production data 2012 Most represented – carp and rainbow trout Less – other cyprinid and salmonid species and marine fish (Croatia, Montenegro, BiH)  Molluscs Mussels Oysters

3.  Movement/transfers Between farms within country  Importation of eggs/fry/live fish Importation of market sized fish for human consumption Importation of fry for cultivation from neighboring countries and European countries (Hungary, Italy, Bulgaria etc) Importation of eggs mainly from Denmark and USA

4. Diseases recorded in the countries  Viral diseases – IPNV in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia VHSV – single outbreak in Croatia  Bacterial diseases – very similar in all countries – furunculosis, yersiniosis, BKD, flavobacteriosis, carp erithrodermatitis, columnaris disease, motile aeromonas septicaemia (MAS)  Marine fish species – vibriosis, tenacibaculosis  Parasitic diseases – marteiliosis in mussels in Croatia and Montenegro; ectoparasites

5.  Fungal diseases – saprolegniosis  Other health problems – Newly described diseases RMS /strawberry disease

6. Diagnostic capacity in the countries  Aquatic animal diseases laboratory within country All coutries some kind of NRL with different responsibilities; research and educational institution dealing with aquatic animal health  Some are mostly educational and other research

7. Level of diagnostic  Level of diagnostic:  Level 1: Gross observation, general necropsy (external, internal)  Level II: Bacteriology, Parasitology, Mycology, Histology  Level III: Cell lines, Immunological tests, TEM, Molecular techniques  MOST COUNTRIES – LEVEL II

8. Analysis of diagnstic capacity  List of diseases and diagnostic methods used  List is more or less same  VHS, IPN, SVC, KHV – clinical observation, detection of gross changes, histological observation, isolation of virus on cell culture, identification by ELISA, PCR,  Furunculosis, yersiniosis, BKD, carp erythrodermatitis, columnaris – Isolation of bacteria on bacteriological media, identification of genus by selective media and general properties, identification of the species by API or any other kit for biochemical identification

9. Surveillance of nationally listed diseases Diagnostic methods – VHS, IHNV, PVŠ, IPNV, KHV, BKD – according to the level of lab capacity Sampling – organised by Competent Authority Results – presence of IPNV, VHSV, PVŠ not diagnosed in last two years, BKD sporadically

10. Surveillance and monitoring of other pathogens Targeted pathogens and aquaculture species – Croatia – bacteria V. anguillarum and Tenacibaculum maritimum in sea bass, Yersinia ruckeri and Flavobacterium psyhrophilum – antimicrobial resistance Eustrongyloides sp. – possible human health threat – no programme of control until now RMS, MAS, ECV – regionally present - due to insufficient funding no surveillance or monitoring programmes

11. Study of abnormal mortality Notification of abnormal mortalities in Macedonia, available diagnostic methods performed – mortality caused by abiotic factors Similar cases in fish farms/ open waters are notified in other counties -

12. Conclusions and perspectives Decrease of aquaculture production in BiH Improving progress in harmonisation of legislative in Serbia, Montenegro Unsufficent laboratory capacity in BiH, Montenegro and Macedonia (they are not complying with OIE/EU standards for diagnosis of listed viral diseases) There are no diagnostic methods for crustacean diseases developed in any country in the region

13. Future needs Education for insufficient laboratory methods Improvement of lab equipment and procedures Evaluation of diagnostic possibilities through interlaboratory proficiency testing (maybe it is possible to organise it regionally within this project) Implementation of diagnostic methods for other species (crustacean) Regional networking