Publication Abstract

S. W. Feist

Investigations into disease in aquatic animals have a long history and, prior to the expansion of aquaculture, were largely of academic interest only. The few scientists engaged in such work during the nineteenth and early twentieth century had few tools available and relied on basic light microscopes and keen observation. There were few opportunities to collaborate. Most of these studies involved wild fish (e.g. Georgevitch, 1919) with a few notable exceptions (see Plehn, 1924). It was only as aquaculture rapidly developed in the second half of the twentieth century that the impact of infectious disease became apparent as a major limiting factor in fish and shellfish production. Fortunately, this coincided with major advances in laboratory technology (e.g. electron microscopy and molecular diagnostic techniques), as well as an increase in the number of trained scientists engaged in such work. Disciplines became more specialised and the need for integrated and collaborative approaches for tackling disease became more important. In addition, measurement of fish disease in wild populations for assessing the impact of anthropogenic pollution in the marine environment became widely used. Professional associations such as the EAFP (established in 1979) formed a vital function in providing a forum for discussion and dissemination of information between scientists from different disciplines involved in aquatic animal disease and stakeholders. This presentation provides an overview of selected disease investigations and highlights the increasing need for integrated approaches for disease diagnosis, epidemiology, pathogen ecology and host response to characterise pathogenesis and to facilitate the development of control methods.