Asia Regional Technical Guidelines On Health Management For The Responsible Movement Of Live Aquatic Animals And The Beijing Consensus And Implementation Strategy

Technical guidelines on Asia regional health management for the responsible transboundary movement of live aquatic animals were developed and presented to the participating countries at a workshop held in Beijing, China, from 27 to 30 June 2000.

This publication provides background material and detailed technical procedures to assist countries and territories in Asia in implementing the Asia regional technical guidelines on health management for the responsible movement of live aquatic animals. The technical guidelines and their associated implementation plan, the Beijing consensus and implementation strategy (BCIS) (See FAO Fisheries Technical Paper no. 402), provide expert guidance for national and regional efforts to reduce the risks of disease due to transboundary movement of live aquatic animals.

Published in Cooperation with THE WORLD AQUACULTURE SOCIETY Aquaculture loses millions of dollars in revenue annually due to aquatic animal diseases. Disease outbreaks continue to threaten profitable and viable aquaculture operations throughout the world. As a result, aquaculture biosecurity programs that address aquatic animal pathogens and diseases have become an important focus for the aquaculture industry. Aquaculture Biosecurity: Prevention, Control, and Eradication of Aquatic Animal Disease provides valuable information that will increase success in combating infectious aquatic disease. Key representatives of international, regional, and national organizations presented their views on this important issue as part of a special session at the 2004 World Aquaculture Society Annual Conference. The chapters of this book cover a wealth of experience from the varied perspectives of these experts on biosecurity, policies, and measures to take the offensive against the spread of diseases in aquatic animals. With contributions from renowned international experts, covering approaches to biosecurity policies and measures currently practiced, Aquaculture Biosecurity: Prevention, Control, and Eradication of Aquatic Animal Disease is a vital reference for all those concerned about protecting aquaculture from impacts of aquatic animal disease.

The use of alien species is a proven means to increase production and value from aquatic ecosystems. In the Mekong/Lanchang basin, alien species such as tilapia (Orechromis spp.) play an important role in providing cheap and readily available protein to rural and poor sectors. However, alien species are now recognized as one of the most significant threats to aquatic biodiversity. Several steps are necessary for effective use and control of alien species, but one of the most important was identified to be following codes of practice similar to that developed by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea.

The Regional Workshop on Preparedness and Response to Aquatic Animal Health Emergencies focused on emergency planning and responses to serious outbreaks of aquatic animal diseases in Asia. These proceedings include all papers presented, group reports and resulting recommendations. The material covers a wide range of topics, from a review of the history, current status and socio-economic impacts of transboundary aquatic animal diseases in Asia to analyses of regional needs in areas such as contingency planning, legislation and capacity building.

Technical guidelines on Asia regional health management for the responsible transboundary movement of live aquatic animals were developed and presented to the participating countries at a workshop held in Beijing, China, from 27 to 30 June 2000.

Quarantine is an important risk management measure and a key activity that should be considered when developing national strategies for aquatic animal health management. It can also be used effectively to increase biosecurity at the farm production level. This manual outlines the technical requirements for setting up quarantine facilities at three levels, based on the general level of risk (as determined by risk analysis) represented by the specific consignment of aquatic animals being moved: (i) the quarantine of "high risk" species (e.g. aquatic animals being moved either internationally through introductions and transfers or domestically between regions of different health status that are destined for use in aquaculture, capture fishery development or other applications where release or escape of animals or any pathogens they may be carrying into the natural environment is likely to occur; (ii) the quarantine of "lower risk" species (e.g. aquatic animals destined for the ornamental trade) to improve biosecurity for aquatic animals whose trade is an established practice; and (iii) the routine quarantine of aquatic animals at production facilities (e.g. new, domestically produced or locally captured broodstock or juveniles or animals whose movement has been contingent upon additional, more stringent, risk management measures, such as the use of Specific Pathogen Free stocks, international health certification, pre-border and/or border quarantine, etc.). This manual should be useful to government policy-makers and responsible national and state agencies in assessing their need for quarantine capacity and in implementing aquatic animal quarantine in an effective and cost-efficient manner within the framework of national and state aquatic biosecurity programmes. It also provides useful guidance to responsible agencies, their technical staff and the private sector in setting up of effective quarantine facilities and their daily operation.