The following accounts for the function of each group as it currently exists pertaining Aquatic Animal Health.. Functions that are supported by law or regulation are so noted.

1. Maryland Department of Agriculture

   The Annotated Code of Maryland, Agriculture Article, Title 3 grants the Department of Agriculture (MDA) broad authority to prevent the spread of contagious or infectious diseases of livestock and poultry. It is assumed that this authority extends to cultured aquatic animals, and that, as a practical matter, non-infectious diseases must be considered as well. To accomplish this basic mission, MDA (1) promulgates and enforces appropriate regulations, including quarantine to prevent introduction of disease into aquaculture facilities; (2) certifies that shipments of aquatic animals from Maryland meet the health requirements of receiving states and countries; and (3) provides the infrastructure, i.e., the diagnostic capability both in the field and laboratory to support these responsibilities. MDA is also involved in licensing and accrediting of private veterinarians involved in aquaculture.

2. Maryland Department of the Environment

   Maryland Department of the Environment's (MDE) role in Aquatic Animal Health is to investigate fish kills as they occur in the waters of the State (Annotated Code of Maryland, Environmental Article Section 4-405C). MDE coordinates responses to fish kill events. In doing so, they may enlist assistance from other agencies and groups. MDE usually conducts the primary on-site investigation, with periodic help from the Department of Natural Resources fisheries groups. To conduct diagnostics on specimens collected, MDE draws from a pool of local, State, and University laboratories to process samples in a timely manner. These procedures are followed with both episodic and chronic kills.

   MDE continues the role of evaluating water quality problems, particularly problems with surface waters of the State or ground water quality. MDE is the lead agency for investigations of water quality problems that are traced to permitted dischargers or other pollution sources. In waters of the State MDE uses pollution monitoring and prevention tools to minimize risks to aquatic animal health from poor water quality.

   With the increasing interest in aquaculture across the State, MDE personnel believe that they should remain involved in the aquacultural response network. However, due to time and personnel constraints, MDE would like to see the Department of Agriculture take the lead in investigating kills occurring in the private sector. MDE personnel would be willing to assist Agriculture in developing and maintaining an effective response to kills occurring in private and commercial aquaculture.

3. Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

   The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene=s role begins when fish and shellfish are processed or brought to market to determine whether they are safe for human consumption. Therefore, their main responsibility is for public health, not animal health.

4. Maryland Department of Natural Resources

   The main objective of this Department is to protect wild stocks of fish, while supplementing those stocks with healthy fish reared in fish culture facilities. The Department performs field diagnostics, taking into account environmental factors, as well as, disease organisms. The Department also has the Sarbanes Cooperative Oxford Laboratory that has diagnostic capabilities. Field personnel and staff are responsible for providing technical assistance and training to the public on fish health and the maintenance of healthy waterways.

   The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) regulates aquacultural activities in the State. It requires a permit to breed, propagate, and sell any species of game, freshwater, and marine fin and shell fish protected by law or regulation. It has the authority to promulgate regulations governing the release, possession, sale, shipment, and identification of every game and freshwater fish handled under the fish breeder=s permit. It establishes reasonable monetary compensation for aquatic species destroyed by the activities of man. It has the authority to require certification that fish are free of infectious diseases, pathogens, parasites, or exotic pest species.

5. University System of Maryland

   As the state=s institution of higher education, the University System of Maryland is primarily responsible for research, education, outreach, and technology transfer to the citizens of Maryland. Within that context, the university has several different approaches to fish and shellfish diseases in the state. From a purely academic and science perspective, faculty undertake research from understanding the molecular and structural aspects of aquatic disease to investigating the cause of aquatic pathogens. Programs of research are at several campuses within the university system. Formal education in the form of undergraduate and graduate courses are offered at two of the campuses, College Park and University of Maryland at Baltimore. The Cooperative Extension and Sea Grant Extension Program also provide informal education on husbandry, culture requirements, and economic information to the general public through its agents and regional specialists. Diagnostic services are offered on a fee structure basis at the UMAB Department of Pathology Aquatic Pathobiology Center and the joint College Park-Maryland Department of Agriculture Aquatic Animal Health Center at College Park. Additional services are offered at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. It is possible to have water quality analysis conducted for disease and husbandry purposes on a fee structure at the University of Maryland Center For Environmental Sciences, Horn Point Laboratory in Cambridge, Chesapeake Biological Laboratory in Solomons, and the Agricultural Experiment Station=s Wye Research and Education Center in Wye Mills. Prior arrangements are suggested.