AQUAPLAN: Health Management for Finfish Aquaculture has been developed to provide Ireland with a national strategic plan for the management of finfish health. The project is led by the Marine Institute together with Vet-Aqua International, IFQC Ltd and the Irish Salmon Growers Association. The project is carried out under the Sea Change strategy with the support of the Marine Institute and the Marine Research Sub-programme of the NDP 2007 - 2013, co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund.
In 2000, the Marine Institute set up and chaired the Irish Fish Health Advisory Group and since 2005 has worked together with the Irish Salmon Growers Association in developing a Code of Practice for Finfish Health. With the support of AquaPlan, it is proposed that this will be accompanied by a Fish Health Handbook containing technical annexes and information, which will be regularly updated. The development and implementation of these documents is seen as central to any strategic health management plan and the sustainable development of the Irish finfish aquaculture industry. The project also aims to maximise synergies with the implementation of the Fish Health Directive 2006/88/EC.
Fish Health Seminar
An annual fish health seminar will be set up providing the industry, researchers and government agencies with updates on research projects, opportunities and ongoing health issues affecting the industry. International experts will be invited to present updates and provide information on current international best practice with regard to fish health.
The 1st Fish Health Seminar took place at the Marine Institute in Oranmore on Thursday June 11th 2009. The seminar was sponsored by Skretting, Intervet Schering Plough, Pharmaq, BioMar and Marine Harvest. The seminar presentations can be downloaded below.
Fish Health Seminar Programme (DOC, 431kb)
Download Session I (PDF, 6.7Mb)
Download Session II (PDF, 7.9Mb)
Download Session III (PDF, 8.6Mb)
The 2nd Fish Health Seminar will take place at the Marine Institute on Wednesday October 6th 2010. Please contact Neil Ruane for more information.
Information Leaflets
Information leaflets will be produced throughout the project on specific areas relating to fish health issues and will be available for downloading from this site. These leaflets are specifically aimed at furthering the development of the Fish Health Handbook.
Download disease information leaflet on ISA (PDF, 330kb)
Download disease information leaflet on VHS (PDF, 320kb)
Download disease information leaflet on KHV (PDF, 956kb)
Download disease information leaflet on gyrodactylosis (PDF, 852kb)
Download disease information leaflet on rickettsiosis (PDF, 340kb)
Download disease information leaflet on pancreas disease (PDF, 1MB)
Download disease information leaflet on francisellosis (PDF, 963kb)
Download disease information leaflet on furunculosis (PDF, 1MB)
Download disease information leaflet on perch rhabdovirus (PDF, 1MB)
Download disease information leaflet on RTFS (PDF, 944kb)
Contingency Plans (new & emerging diseases)
Contingency plans outline a detailed and practical description of all the actions, procedures, instructions and control measures to be employed in the event of an outbreak of a specific disease. Under Directive 2006/88/EC each member state must have contingency plans in place for the eradication of exotic and emerging diseases. AquaPlan will therefore focus on the development of contingency plans for serious non-listed diseases which have the potential to cause significant health issues in Ireland.
Hydrographic Modelling
Hydrographic models are increasingly used as a tool in the development of fish health management plans and epidemiological investigations of disease outbreaks. AquaPlan will use hydrographic modelling in the determination of epidemiological units for marine sites around Ireland. These units are comprised of groups of animals with a defined epidemiological relationship that share approximately the same likelihood of exposure to a pathogen. Future work will investigate the use of modelling as a forecasting tool predicting the spread of a pathogen from an infected site and also look to define epidemiological units for freshwater facilities.
Training
AquaPlan will develop training and educational modules for fish farm personnel, farm managers, fish health professionals and veterinarians. Training modules will range from basic disease diagnosis to more advanced modules for veterinarians and fish health professionals. Training modules will be certified by an approved accreditation body.
Training updates:
A workshop on zooplankton and sea lice identification and sampling methods was held at the Marine Institute on 29 April 2010. Copies of the presentations can be downloaded below.
Gill Disease Presentation (PDF, 3.4 MB)
Sea Lice Presentation (PDF, 3 MB)
Zooplankton Identification Guide (PDF, 429 kB)
For further information please contact:
Dr. Neil Ruane, Fish Health Unit, Marine Institue.
