Aquaculture & Fisheries

Comparative Biology of Aquatic Species

Transgenic fish conferences and aquaculture meetings mainly spotlight on disease problems represent the largest single cause of monetary losses in aquaculture. In 1988, channel catfish producers lost over 100 million fish worth nearly $11 million. Estimates for 1989 forecast even higher losses. The trout industry reported 1988 losses of 30 million fish costs over $2.7 million. No data are available 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 epizootics in cultured species. Fungal diseases constitute the second most essential source of losses, above all in the culture of crustaceans and salmon. Protozoan parasites are accountable for the loss of huge numbers of fry and fingerling fin fishes and are a cause of epizootics among young shellfish.