2nd International Aquaculture Biosecurity Conference

The IABC is an international forum on current and future aquatic biosecurity practices for prevention, control, and eradication of diseases. Aquaculture producers, veterinarians, and government officials will convene in Trondheim to discuss advances in practical approaches to biosecurity, just prior to the start of AquaNor, one of worlds largest aquaculture trade shows.

Dr Duan Palić, IABC co-chair and Assistant Professor at Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine, emphasized that Aquaculture production has seen rapid growth and become a significant part of global animal food production in the recent years, but disease-related problems are a significant threat to international trade and seafood safety.

Dr Roar Gudding, IABC co-chair and Associate Director of the Norwegian Veterinary Institute said The greatest obstacle to sustainable aquaculture development is spread of aquatic animal diseases. The goal of the International Veterinary Aquaculture Biosecurity Conference and associated workshop is to provide current expert opinions and tools for implementing practical, economic, and effective biosecurity plans to control and potentially eliminate disease impacts on the industry.

Internationally-recognized speakers will spend two days with the conference attendees delivering a series of presentations and participating in practical table-top exercises and discussions on the economic impacts of diseases and biosecurity programs, the components of ideal biosecurity plans, and development of international and national strategies, said Dr Chris Walster, Secretary of World Aquatic Veterinary Medical Association and private aquatic veterinary practitioner in the UK.

Dr James Roth, Director of the Center for Food Security and Public Health at Iowa State University said, With increased occurrences of aquatic animal disease outbreaks worldwide, the IABC provides the interface for producers, health professionals and governments to address timely topics such as identifying and prioritizing hazardous diseases, determining critical control points, epidemiology, surveillance and monitoring, and most importantly, implementing and certifying biosecurity programs at all levels.

Dr David Scarfe of American Veterinary Medical Association, voiced the opinion of entire IABC executive board in saying, We believe the conference will help set a solid framework for the development and implementation of biosecurity plans at all levels of aquaculture. It is our intention to develop practical and effective tools to assist in the prevention, control and possible eradication of many priority diseases. A good start in this endeavor is to outline and discuss the potential for industry-government cost-sharing programs related to biosecurity.

Dr Edgar Brun, co-director OIE Collaborating Centre for Aquatic Epidemiology and Risk Assessment said, Global spreading of infectious diseases is a direct threat to the local producers of aquatic animals, to local economies and local wildlife. Reducing this risk and its consequences through knowledge of the epidemiology of known and emerging diseases is fundamental in achieving more sustainable, ecosystem adjusted aquaculture production.

Cost-efficient biosecurity measures both on the local and national level are therefore necessary tools for accomplishing these goals and the motivation to implement such tools of essential importance.

In addition to the Conference, the IABC will organise a field Workshop, including visits to fish farms and other aquaculture operations in the region.

The pen side demonstration of biosecurity plans implemented in practical salmon production through the entire value chain, will give the participants the opportunity to provide input and compare approaches to biosecurity in aquaculture, said Dr Atle Lillehaug, fish health expert at the Norwegian Veterinary Institute .

We expect to welcome participants from aquatic veterinary organizations, aquaculture producers and industry organizations, government agencies, standard setting bodies, academic institutions and aquaculture related industries, said Dr Torkjel Bruheim of Norwegian Veterinary Institute in Trondheim.

August is great time to visit the west coast of Norway, and the Conference attendees will have numerous opportunities to engage in professional as well as leisure activities while in Trondheim. Thousands of professionals involved in the business of aquaculture will be at the AquaNor, providing many opportunities for networking.

The Conference and Workshop is organized by the Norwegian Veterinary Institute, the Center for Food Security and Public Health and the Institute for International Cooperation in Animal Biologics, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, and the World Aquatic Veterinary Medical Association.

Conference sponsors currently include the AquaNor, Marine Harvest, Salmar, AquaGen, the Fishery and Aquaculture Industry Research Fund, Norwegian Veterinary Institute, the Center for Food Security and Public Health, and the World Aquatic Veterinary Medical Association.

To register or to submit an abstract go to www.iabconference.org

For more information, contact IABC secretariat at iabcsec@iastate.edu