Aquaculture issues receiving support

The AVMA Executive Board approved three recommendations on aquaculture health and seafood advisory issues.

The first action supports the Joint Subcommittee on Aquaculture's Research and Development Strategic Plan. This comprehensive plan addresses the integrated aquatic animal health management needs of the aquaculture industry, and identifies growth opportunities for veterinarians. The joint subcommittee is an interagency coordinating group that works to increase the effectiveness of federal aquaculture research, transfer, and assistance programs.

With the AVMA Aquaculture and Seafood Advisory Committee having identified foreign aquatic diseases as an emerging area of concern, the AVMA Executive Board approved the following position statement:

The AVMA encourages the United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to seek authority and funding to prevent the introduction of foreign aquatic animal pathogens and develop programs to control or eradicate any so introduced agents, similarly to established control programs for terrestrial species.

In addition to these two approvals, the board passed the committee's recommendation to establish a liaison to the Joint Subcommittee on Aquaculture Effluents Task Force. Effluents are a major consideration of aquaculturists and aquatic animal veterinarians.