Aquatic animals are widely translocated across countries for enhancing aquaculture productions and species diversification. Such trans-boundary movement of live aquatic animals has the risk of introduction of new diseases. Responsible fisheries emphasizes the need to minimize the risk of disease transfer and adverse effects on wild and cultured stocks associated with the introduction of non-native species and transport of eggs, larvae, brood stock and other live organisms. Presently two amphibians, ten fishes, seven molluscan and eight crustacean diseases have been listed by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIC). In mollusks parasitic diseases are important, while in fish and crustaceans viral diseases are cause of concern. Whether a listed disease is due to a virus, fungus, bacterium or parasite, the occurrence of the disease may adversely affect international trade among trading partners hat have, or do not have, the listed disease. India established its first state of the art AQF in the year 2009 at Chennai to facilitate P.vannamei brood stock import in India. However, India needs to establish separate AQFs for quarantine needs of various aquatic needs of various aquatic species such as ornamental fish, candidate finfishes such as seabass, corals, being proposed by the private sector for import. These facilities can be created under PPP mode, where Central agencies, State Govt., research institutions and the private players can play a harmonized role. The import risk analysis (IRA) of CIBA clearly revealed that the aquatic quarantine at the importers, facilities was highly risky and recommended low-risk options to the Govt.of India to
- Establish quarantine facilities under public sector with restriction on the culture practices and
- Establishment of SPF brood stock multiplication centre cum quarantine under public-private partnership with restricted permits for culture, as is presently being done with pacific white shrimp. At large, the Quarantine and Bio security must be vested with the Govt agencies and Institutions as done in all other developed nations for effectiveness and delivery as per the regulations of the country.
Source: Aqua Aquaria