Procedures for the quarantine of live aquatic animals

[Vetaqua]

J. Richard Arthur, Melba G. Bondad-Reantaso & Rohana P. Subasinghe
Procedures for the quarantine of live aquatic animals: a manual
FAO FISHERIES TECHNICAL PAPER 502
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE AND ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS
Rome 2008

Abstract
Quarantine is an important risk management measure and a key activity that
should be considered when developing national strategies for aquatic animal
health management. It can also be used effectively to increase biosecurity at the
farm production level.
This manual outlines the technical requirements for setting up quarantine
facilities at three levels, based on the general level of risk (as determined by risk
analysis) represented by the specific consignment of aquatic animals being moved:
(i) the quarantine of “high risk” species (e.g. aquatic animals being moved either
internationally through introductions and transfers or domestically between
regions of different health status that are destined for use in aquaculture, capture
fishery development or other applications where release or escape of animals or
any pathogens they may be carrying into the natural environment is likely to
occur; (ii) the quarantine of “lower risk” species (e.g. aquatic animals destined
for the ornamental trade) to improve biosecurity for aquatic animals whose trade
is an established practice; and (iii) the routine quarantine of aquatic animals
at production facilities (e.g. new, domestically produced or locally captured
broodstock or juveniles or animals whose movement has been contingent upon
additional, more stringent, risk management measures, such as the use of Specific
Pathogen Free stocks, international health certification, pre-border and/or border
quarantine, etc.).
This manual should be useful to government policy-makers and responsible
national and state agencies in assessing their need for quarantine capacity and in
implementing aquatic animal quarantine in an effective and cost-efficient manner
within the framework of national and state aquatic biosecurity programmes. It
also provides useful guidance to responsible agencies, their technical staff and
the private sector in setting up of effective quarantine facilities and their daily
operation

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