International

Aquaplan –Australia’s National Strategic Plan for Aquatic Animal Health (2005-2010)

March, 2007

• Purpose
• Context
• Scope
• Objectives
• Definitions
• Accountability
• Implementation
• Of Note to Canada
• Ressources

Purpose

• Protect Australia’s disease-free status
• Facilitate the production of ‘clean green’ premium quality seafood by the aquaculture industry
• Build and enhance the management of aquatic animal health in Australia
• Continue to obtain premium prices for seafood exports
• Protect the vital primary fisheries and aquaculture industries which have been growing consistently over the past 10 years
• Provide a follow-up strategy to Aquaplan (1998-2003)

Context

Due to its geographical isolation, Australia has retained a favourable aquatic animal health status for many years. However, in 1995, a major disease incident attributed to the herpesvirus resulted in the death of a substantial proportion of Australian pilchard fish (Sardinps sagax neopilchardus–sardine).  (Report of the National Taskforce on Imported Fish and Fish Products , [Higgins 1996]). Another, less severe disease outbreak in 1998 was also attributed to the same virus (World Trade Organisation, Trade Information System, www.sice.oas.org).

Subsequent enquiries by the Australian Government revealed that Australia’s emergency response capability at that time was limited and ad hoc.

In order to enhance emergency response and maintain market access, Australia developed Aquaplan 1998-2003, which included programs and comprehensive operational plans for aquatic animal health issues.  The subsequent plan, Aquaplan 2005-2010 builds on the original plan to improve the management of aquatic animal health through the development, adoption and implementation of programs, policies and codes of practice related to key aspects of aquatic animal health.

Fisheries and aquaculture are vital primary industries in Australia and export markets are already using disease and chemical residues to limit trade access.

Scope

Two primary areas of focus are the health of fish in:

• Aquaculture
  • fish (including ornamental)
  • molluscs
  • crustaceans
• Recreational/ commercial fishing

Objectives

The objectives of Aquaplan 2005-2010 include:

• Control aquatic animal disease outbreaks; maintain market access; and support quality assurance
• Improve the productivity and sustainability of aquatic animal industries and to continue to market Australia internationally as a source of high quality seafood and great recreational fishing activities
• Ensure a healthy, sustainable, non-food producing sector of aquaculture such as the pearl and ornamental fish industries
• Enhance the integration and surveillance of aquatic animal health
• Enhance emergency aquatic animal disease preparedness and response
• Increase awareness of aquatic animal welfare issues within industry and educate and train stakeholders in the aquatic animal health sector
• Create a scientifically-based and harmonized approach to aquatic animal welfare standards
• Promote the appropriate use of therapeutic drugs in aquaculture
• Integrate aquatic animal health management with ecologically sustainable development

Definitions

No specific definitions are provided.

Accountability

• Aquaplan 2005-2010 was coordinated by the Chief Veterinary Officer within the Aquatic Animal Health Committee (AAHC) of the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
• National, state and territory governments and private industry sectors jointly developed and share responsibility for its implementation

Implementation

 Aquaplan 2005-2010 has seven main strategies as follows:

1. Enhance the integration and scope of aquatic animal health surveillance
   • cost effective systems with co-ordinated nationally accessible information and analysis
2. Harmonize approaches to aquatic animal health
   • implement a common zoning approach for disease control and market access
   • manage pathogens during the translocation of live aquatic animals
   • harmonize aquaculture legislation, codes of practice and quality assurance approaches
3. Enhance aquatic animal emergency disease preparedness and response framework
   • establish a disease response agreement with industry
   • ensure scientific and technical accuracy of veterinary manuals used for emergency response
4. Educate and train members of the aquatic animal health sector
   • provide training and accreditation in aquatic animal disease management for aquatic animal health service providers
5. Enhance welfare standards for aquaculture
   • develop scientifically-based and harmonized approaches to aquatic animal welfare policies
   • increase awareness of aquatic animal welfare issues within the industry
   • assist international organizations on developing welfare guidelines
6. Ensure the appropriate use of therapeutic drugs for aquatic animal health management
   • ensure that therapeutic drugs are available
   • encourage research into therapeutic drugs, future vaccines and aquaculture farm management strategies
7. Incorporate aquatic animal health management as part of ecologically sustainable development
   • raise awareness about disease issues associated with importing live aquatic animals
   • improve the investigation and reporting of major wild fish kills
   • harmonize national aquatic animal disease management

Of Note to Canada

• Emphasis on partnership with stakeholders
• Sound aquatic health management to avoid adverse effects on the environment and ecology, such as the:
  • the accidental release of exotic species or diseases/pathogens carried by exotic species
  • use of antibiotics which can create antimicrobial resistance
  •  inadequate  treatment of effluent water that could increase disease risk

Resources:

• http://www.animalhealthaustralia.com.au/corporate/strategic-direction.cfm
• http://www.sice.oas.org/dispute/wto/ds18/ds18r5e.asp