Aquatic animal health is important in many situations including the aquaculture industry, in ornamental species and also for wild populations of fish and shellfish.

Health management is a critical issue in the aquaculture industry, as intensive culture of animals and plants (both on land and in the water) can increase the likelihood of disease. A disease outbreak can devastate farmed populations and severely impact the short-term profitability and even long term viability of aquaculture businesses.

Those who keep ornamental fish and invertebrates for a hobby also frequently confront disease issues, and need to be scrupulous in managing the health of their animals and preventing any diseases that do occur from spreading to other aquaria or even the wild through transfer of sick animals or contaminated materials. Outbreaks of disease also occur in the wild, where they can cause unsightly and unhealthy fish kills or even endanger populations of certain native species.

In all cases, a quick response is essential to enable correct diagnosis of the problem and to allow for appropriate measures to be taken, whether this be quarantine, treatment and/or euthanasia of the affected population, before it takes on epidemic proportions.

NSW DPI Aquatic Biosecurity Unit works on preventing the spread of diseases from one area to another through controls on the movement of infected stock and other quarantine measures; organising responses to aquatic animal health emergencies; assisting industry to improve aquatic animal health management; conducting surveillance for key diseases including QX oyster disease and bass nodavirus; researching disease effects and resistance; and representing NSW in national policy and technical groups that deal with aquatic animal health.

• Disease issues in wild fish and shellfish
  
• Disease management in aquaculture
  
• Disease management in ornamental fish
  
• Disease management in stocked fish
  

Other links

• Aquatic animal health – Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (www.daff.gov.au)
  Includes links to AQUAPLAN – Australia's national strategic plan for aquatic animal health; Australia’s national list of reportable diseases of aquatic animals; and more.
• Aquatic animal diseases significant to Australia: Identification field guide (www.disease-watch.com)
• OIE – Aquatic Animals Commission (international) (www.oie.int)