THE EVOLVING IMPORTANCE of VETERINARY MEDICINE in AQUATIC ANIMAL HEALTH MANAGEMENT

1. THE EVOLVING IMPORTANCE of VETERINARY MEDICINE in AQUATIC ANIMAL HEALTH MANAGEMENT American Fisheries Society – Fish Health Section Atlantic Veterinary College, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, July 10th, 2008

2. Panel Discussion Genesis • Ongoing discussion since the 1960’s on the role(s) of veterinarians in aquaculture health management. • Bacterial & microbial parasite infections in farmed salmonids… development of prescription treatments. • Evolution of aquaculture species diversification, intensification of production & global trade. • Growing need for similar support systems for farmed aquatic animals as provided for terrestrial animals. • The vet/non-vet debates: FAO, AFS-FHS, OIE, WAS conclude both veterinary & non-vet expertise needed. • Canada’s NAAHP - the search for aquatic veterinarians - 20% of national expertise recruited to federal program delivery… triggers search for more expertise to replace losses to provinces & industry.

3. The PanelChair: Dr. Sharon McGladdery,Director, Aquatic Animal Health Division, CFIA, Canada • Dr. Brian Evans – Chief Veterinary Officer for Canada • Mr. Kevin Amos – USA National Aquatic Animal Health Plan (NAAHP) Co-Chair • Dr. Larry Hammell – AVC Veterinary Epidemiologist • Dr. Leighanne Hawkins – Cooke Aquaculture Veterinarian • Dr. David Scarfe – American Veterinary Medical Association • Dr. Ron Thune – Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University

4. What Opportunitiesare ‘out there’? • Government • Federal- inspection, regulatory, policy, trade negotiation, program development. • Province/State- aquaculture management, outbreak/detection response coordination with industry & federal government authorities. • Private Practice • Aquaculture veterinarian– fish health management, biosecurity. • Consultant– research proposals, farm management advice. • Ornamental/Aquarium practitioner– stock management, advice,

5. What Opportunities are there?(cont’d) • Corporate Veterinarian • Company- feed, fish farming, drug • Academia • Teaching- epidemiology, pathology, husbandry • Graduate Studies - finfish, molluscan, crustacean & marine mammal health • Diagnostics & Research • Laboratory work, sample collection, etc • New pathogens, husbandry for new species coming into domestication, risk analysis, epidemiology, etc..

6. Opportunities and needs for aquatic animal veterinary expertise are increasing… but actual recruitment remains limited. • Panel discussion revolved around: • Why? • What can be done? • Who should be doing this?

7. Why? • DVM’s graduate with significant financial burdens (tuition & related expenses). So, unless employment is well-funded and secure, it is not attractive to new graduates. • Direct aquaculture industry employment remains limited to large companies and is predominantly contractual. • Government employment is increasing but is less attractive to new graduates who want to work with animals directly related to their DVM training. • Many Veterinary Colleges do not have aquatic animal health on their curricula as a career choice during DVM training. • Some veterinarians undertake aquatic work as a side-duty to their principle small or large animal practice, but self identify as small/large animal practitioners (e.g., USA). • Most jobs in aquatic animal medicine are in rural, coastal areas; whereas, most DVM students come from urban settings.

8. What can be done? • Self-promotion of veterinary work on aquatic animals. Some panellists noted that DVM’s tend not to self-promote. This is a tradition for all medical professions, but requires re-thinking. • Encourage aquatic animal industries to include DVMs in their team of expertise supporting production & encourage DVMs to work in multi-disciplinary teams (a slight paradigm shift from traditional practices). • Include aquatic animal health management regulation and enforcement in DVM curricula to expand Government employment options for DVMs who may have this interest. • Include aquatic animal health training in modules provided to graduate DVMs as an option for ongoing career development. • Provide training for rural & coastal community veterinarians so they can effectively include aquatic animal work as part of their small or large animal practices.

9. Who should be doing this? • OIE - Continue to encourage member country Veterinary Authorities to support development of aquatic animal health infrastructures for their industries. • National Authorities (Veterinary, Fisheries, Enviornment, etc.) – Recruit the veterinary expertise required to build on traditional aquatic animal health resources and disciplines. Offer internships to expand DVM undergraduate employment horizons. • Industry – Explore the value-added of veterinary expertise as a member of core production team. Aquaculture day-to-day health management measures supports productivity & market access; Processing sector support for health certification for commodities. • Veterinary Associations and Colleges – Ensure training (undergraduate and for DVM professionals) includes aquatic animal health modules that support above initiatives; and aquatic industry internship opportunities.

10. Who should be doing this (continued)? • Aquatic Veterinarians – Explore opportunities for internships for DVM students, &/or provide mentorship to DVM professionals who are considering career re-direction. Promote the picturesque settings where aquatic industries are based, and the associated life-style benefits. • Non-Aquatic Veterinarians – Explore aquatic options for mid-career evaluation of direction (needs training module support or mentorship as above).

11. Aquatic Who should be doing this (continued)? • World Veterinary Association – Continue to include and expand aquatic animal medicine in international meetings and association information media.

12. Benefits of a career in aquatic animal medicine Muchas Gracias