Aquaculture & Fisheries

Aquatic Biology- Immunology, Physiology, Toxicology

Aquatic immunology compacts with disease problems represent the largest single cause of monetary losses in aquaculture. In 1988, catfish producers lost over 100 million fish worth nearly $11 million. Estimates for 1989 forecast even major losses. The trout industry reported 1988 losses of over 20 million fish worth over $2.5 million. No data are avail on losses sustained by producers of shellfish. Bacterial infections constitute the most significant source of disease problems in all the diverse types of production. Gram-negative bacteria cause epizootics in nearly all cultured species. Fungal diseases constitute the second most essential source of losses, above all in the culture of crustaceans and salmon. External protozoan parasites are accountable for the loss of huge numbers of fry and fingerling fin fishes and are a cause of epizootics from all young shellfish. The number of therapeutants approved by the Food and Drug Administration is limited. invention to support the registration of promising therapeutic agents is urgently needed.