Epidemiological based survey of infectious agents from wild and farmed fish and implications for fish healt control programs in Patagonia

NOGUERA, PATRICIA; MOLINÉ, MARTÍN

St Julians

Congreso; 11º Diseases of Fish and Shellfish; 2003

Aquaculture is a new venture in Argentina. Natural conditions are suited to efficient fish and shellfish production and the activity enjoys a competitive advantage as a result of the excellent water quality in many fresh water lakes and reservoirs located far form urban or industrial centres. The temperature in Patagonia is appropriate for rearing salmonids and a factor contributing to its success. Currently, 2000 mt of rainbow trout are being produced. In addition there is a variety of other species under intensive, semiintensive cultivation or under development programs, including tilapia, pacu, catfish, silverside, and freshwater shrimp. Disease outbreaks are often a major constraint to further development. In Argentina there is significant potential to develop, but only a limited knowledge of the diseases endemic in the country. Furthermore, no staturory legislation is in force that allows reporting or control of infections, or fish movements into the country. This study represents a baseline level survey of pathogens of farmed and wild fish within northern Patagonia, the main fish production area in the country, using risk based and laboratory testing protocols with salmonids as target species. The work includes:- survey of pathogens of farmed and wild fish in a major fish culture region- assessment of risk posed to aquaculture- development of regional testing programmes and recommendations for future fish health monitoring and management for acuaculture productivity in the region- development of protocols to protect currently recognised disease-free areas/farms and to encourage non-inspected areas to join control programmes.Despite years of research and advances for Renibacterium salmoninarum, causative agent of Bacterial Kidney Disease (BKD), it remanins an important agent for farmed and wild fish. Results of the present work show ecidence of its presence in Argentina