FISH HEALTH MAINTENANCE

Quality assurance (QA) programs are being recommended for shellfish and finfish aquaculture facilities. Key to QA programs are the evaluation and monitoring of important aspects of an operation by a qualified fish heath specialist. This individual should have experience in aquatic animal husbandry, disease prevention and systems maintenance. It is envisioned that this individual would not be an employee of government but rather serve on behalf of the aquaculture industry. To perform the required duties, the individual would need information about the facility as described for the first response provider, and a complete history of the facility. Access to this information must be with the explicit and written approval of the owners of the facility. These individuals would conduct periodic quality control inspections which include: basic sanitation, basic sanitary practices, physical/chemical evaluations, and also facility certification, which would require periodic sampling for microbiology and health checks using the best available technology.

The fish health practitioner would have the responsibility of providing the Department of Agriculture with information on quality control which is cataloged under that facility=s file, the history of any outbreaks, and a record of certification.

In the event of a disease outbreak, this individual would work with a qualified fish health practitioner to diagnose and provide treatment for the outbreak. Aquatic animal medicine practitioners have direct and immediate access to therapeutic agents for prophylactic or therapeutic treatment. In addition, they must report any and all pathogens that are on the State list of reportable pathogens. Because of the requirements for treatment and the need to provide certifications required for exports, the aquatic animal health practitioner position requires a veterinarian with in depth training in aquaculture.