INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS WITH INTERNET SITES / e-COMMUNICATIONS
DIPNET Disease Interactions and Pathogen exchange between farmed and wild aquatic animal populations -- an European NETwork
http://www.dipnet.info
"Over the past three decades, European aquaculture has expanded, intensified, and diversified. The total number of species reported under culture within the European region has more than doubled during the last thirty years.
"Farming of new species and expansion of aquaculture into new regions is associated with profound changes of the species and population structure of aquatic ecosystems. In many of these ecosystems wild fish and shellfish are in close contact with their farmed cousins, and the potential for exchange of pathogens (to the disadvantage of either sector) is inevitable and raises a number of important issues relating to its control.
"The DIPNET project is funded under the EU Framework Programme 6 to provide scientific advice in support of policy.
"The principal objective of this project is to integrate and strengthen the current scientific knowledge on the potential transfer of pathogens and diseases between wild and cultured aquatic animal populations, and thereby to support to the development of European policies protecting the health of wild aquatic animal populations while allowing responsible use of the aquatic environment for aquaculture purposes. Integration of on-going research activities and dissemination of current knowledge towards knowledge users, other stakeholders and the wider European public are further aims of the project."
[DIPNET issues e-newsletters, all of which are posted on its web site.
PANDA Permanent Advisory Network for Diseases in Aquaculture
http://www.europanda.net
Project Aim
The aim of the PANDA project is to establish a permanent network of aquatic animal health specialists, including researchers and diagnosticians, to provide a forum for the debate of issues concerning diseases in European aquaculture, and to communicate the results of these discussions to the European Commission with provision of advice on EU policy and legislation for aquatic animal health. The project is funded by the EU Framework Programme 6 under the theme of scientific advice in support of policy, contract number SSPE-CT-2003-502329.
"The project is co-ordinated by the Cefas Weymouth Laboratory, UK....
"Who should get involved?
All researchers and practitioners in aquatic animal health are encouraged to join the PANDA network, and are invited to register themselves in the experts database, whether to play a key role and participate in the workshops, to join in the online discussions, search for specific expertise, seek information, advice or materials from other members, or to simply to keep abreast of progress and the latest 'hot issues' in aquatic animal health.
"Registration on database of experts
All experts, institutes and laboratories working in the field of aquatic animal health are encouraged to become members of the network and to submit details of their areas of expertise and activity for entry into a database to facilitate networking and searches for specific skills. You can enter your details by filling out our registration form.
"The forums allow members to comment on documents produced by the project, offer information and opinion to help to progress the work packages, debate other issues in the field of aquatic animal health, request information or materials, communicate widely and share their expertise with other members. To participate in the forums you must be a registered user. The forums are accessible [on site]."
PANDA has the following member Forums on its web site:
PANDA Members Forum
General forum for members of the PANDA network.
PANDA Topic 2 - Risk Analysis
Forum for discussion of the PANDA risk analysis of exotic, emerging and re-emerging disease hazards.
PANDA Topic 3 - Epidemiology Database
Forum for discussing the PANDA epidemiology database and methods for disease surveillance and containment for the diseases identified in Topic 2.
PANDA Topic 4 - Diagnostic Methods
Forum for discussing the PANDA evaluation and recommendtions for standardisation and validation of diagnostic methods for the diseases identified in PANDA Topic 2
PANDA Topic 5 - Environmentally Safe Disease Control Measures
Forum for discussing the PANDA evaluation of environmentally safe strategies for disease control.
PANDA Topic 6 - Training needs and opportunities
Forum for discussing the PANDA assessment of training needs and opportunities in research and diagnostics.
DIPNET Project
Discussions and opinions of the reports from the project
EPIZONE Project
Discussions and opinions on the project.
EU Legislation and OIE standards
Open forum for discussions of EU legislation and OIE standards for aquatic animal health.
EAFP Forum
Forum for the members of the European Association of Fish Pathologists (EAFP)
NACA Forum
Forum for members of the Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific (NACA)
PANDA posts its newsletters on its web site.
Fish Health Section of the Asian Fisheries Society
The Fish Health Section (FHS) of the Asian Fisheries Society was founded in May 1989 with the following objectives: (a) to promote effective interaction and cooperation among persons involved in aquatic animal research; (b) to encourage and promote investigation and advances in knowledge of aquatic animal health; (c) to focus attention on aquatic animal health problems by disseminating technical and other information on all aspects of aquatic animal health; and (d) promote the proper implementation of effective aquatic animal health protection practices in the region.
See general description and newsletters at http://afs-fhs.seafdec.org.ph/. For the August 2006 issue of the Fish Health Section see http://afs-fhs.seafdec.org.ph/v0806.pdf. Past issues posted on the web site are:
Newsletter, vol.8 No.2 2002
Newsletter, September 2003
Newsletter, Nov-Dec 2003
Newsletter, Jan-Feb 2004
Newsletter, May 2004
Newsletter, June 2004
Newsletter, Aug-Sept 2004
International Ichthyoparasitology Newsletter.
The newsletter appears annually, and is distributed free in each country through its representative, which for the U.S. is Robin M. Overstreet (robin.overstreet@usm.edu). This newsletter particularly emphasizes meetings and activities for each of the reporting countries, and is truly international and informative. The 14th issue for January 2007 is now available on the Newsletter's web site http://www.diplectanum.dsl.pipex.com/newsletter/2007/newsl14.htm#book
with the following announcement :
"Please note that material for the next issue should be sent to the Editor, Dr Leslie Chisholm [e-mail: chisholm.leslie@saugov.sa.gov.au], Parasitology Section, The Science Centre, South Australian Museum, North Terrace, Adelaide 5000, South Australia, Australia: Fax: +61 8 8207 7222.....
"The Newsletter is issued once a year and the persons listed on the cover page act as regional representatives. Each representative may write or collect information from the members of their country or region. Naturally, direct contributions from any recipient to the Newsletter are also welcome. The Newsletter is intended for any news, notices, comments, etc. that you feel would be of interest to the world's ichthyoparasitologists. Please note that publication lists are not accepted. The editor would be grateful if submissions would follow the format similar to that of the present Newsletter. Images are welcome. Please send images as separate JPG files (do not incorporate them in your text file).
"National representatives are asked to download a copy of each issue of the Newsletter and make this available (photocopies, e-mail, URL, etc) to his or her domestic members, where necessary. When it is impossible to download a copy, please advise the editor. In addition, the information in the Newsletter can be made available via E-mail."
International Society of Protistologists
http://www.uga.edu/~protozoa/
"The Society is an international association of scientists devoted to research on single-celled eukaryotes, or protists. The ISOP promotes the presentation and discussion of new or important facts and problems in protistology, and works to provide resources for the promotion and advancement of this science."
"The Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology publishes original research on protists, including lower algae and fungi. Articles are published covering all aspects of these organisms, including their behavior, biochemistry, cell biology, chemotherapy, development, ecology, evolution, genetics, molecular biology, morphogenetics, parasitology, systematics, and ultrastructure." This journal is published on behalf of the International Society of Protistologists by Blackwell Publishing. See http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/journal.asp?ref=1066-5234.
"Regular Membership (Americas $87US; Europe "Euro zone" €84; rest of world £56) is open to anyone with an interest in protozoa and related protists. Regular members have all usual privileges of membership and receive The Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology, the Newsletter and Abstracts of Annual Meetings of the Society of Protozoologists."
See homepage (above) for other information on memberships.
PRAISE Pacific Regional Aquaculture Information Service for Education . See http://praise.manoa.hawaii.edu/news.php?aquavetnews for this useful website of current articles, an archive of previous issues 1997-2001, and a search box for topics. Coverage includes western U.S. Contact: Kristen L. Anderson, Science & Technology Dept., Hamilton Library, 2550 The Mall, Honolulu HI 96822, 808-956-2544, krisa@hawaii.edu, University of Hawaii at Manoa.
NACA (Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific). This extensive and very active regional international organization has several free publication series with current news on fish health.
NACA Fish Health Newsletter has six issues, the latest 09/09/2004. See http://www.enaca.org/modules/wfdownloads/viewcat.php?cid=90
NACA QAAD The Quarterly Aquatic Animal Disease Reporting System for the Asia-Pacific Region developed and implemented jointly by NACA/FAO/OIE, is one of the key activities of NACA’s regional aquatic animal health management program. The goal of regional disease reporting is to reduce the economic impact of aquatic animal diseases and minimize the risk of regional and international spread of pathogens. Systematic and transparent regional disease reporting will assist to reduce risks of aquatic animal diseases and promote responsible trade. The benefits of disease reporting for a participating country are many. Participating countries stand to benefit in terms of international trade. Because of their commitment to regional disease reporting, they also attract international support to strengthen their national capabilities in aquatic animal health management. See http://www.enaca.org/modules/wfdownloads/viewcat.php?cid=159
The first Quarterly aquatic animal disease (QAAD) report for the period July-September 1998, compiled by the National Coordinators of the FAO/NACA/OIE regional project was published in April 1999. Since then, QAAD reports have been published regularly and the present issue -QAAD 2006/1 – is 31st in the series. Over the years, the quality of reports and epidemiological comments provided by 21 participating countries in the Asia-Pacific region has improved significantly. List of diseases for the regional QAAD reporting are revised annually to reflect the aquatic animal disease situation in the Asia-Pacific region and to conform with changes to the OIE Aquatic Animal Health Code. QAAD reports are very relevant to the region since it covers diseases of regional importance even if they are not listed by the OIE and creates awareness of aquatic animal health problems and serves as an early warning system.
NACA Report of the Fourth Meeting of the Asia Regional Advisory Group on Aquatic Animal Health (AGM-4)
The fourth meeting of the Asia Regional Advisory Group on Aquatic Animal Health (AGM-4) was held at Hotel Taj Samudra, Colombo, Sri Lanka on 22nd – 24th October 2005. The Regional Advisory Group (AG), constituted by NACA, in cooperation with OIE and FAO, provides advice to NACA and Asian governments on aquatic animal health management. During the three-day meeting, the AG addressed key aquatic animal health issues in Asia, including regional disease reporting system and emerging aquatic animal disease problems (emphasizing white tail disease in Macrobrachium rosenbergii, monodon slow growth syndrome, taura syndrome and infection with koi herpes virus). The meeting provided a number of useful recommendations for governments and NACA on aquatic animal disease control in Asia-Pacific. See http://www.enaca.org/modules/wfdownloads/viewcat.php?cid=132 for downloading all the reports, 1-4.
NACA Downloads from NACA Library In addition to the above, the NACA web site http://www.enaca.org/modules/wfdownloads/ has extensive archives of publications to download off of the Internet. Also see http://www.enaca.org/modules/wfdownloads/viewcat.php?cid=5 for categories.
NACA Marine Fish Aquaculture Network
Asia-Pacific Marine Finfish Aquaculture e-News (no. 34, Feb. 02, 2007) includes information on aquatic animal health.
“The purpose of this e-News is to facilitate information dissemination on marine fish aquaculture research and development, complementing the quarterly marine finfish eMagazine. We welcome your contributions on research and development, news items, market developments, upcoming events and others - please send to
Asia-Pacific Marine Finfish Aquaculture Network c/o: NACA P.O. Box 1040, Kasetsart Post Office, Bangkok 10903, Thailand Tel: 66-2-561 1728 (Ext 116); Fax: 66-2-561 1727 Email: grouper@enaca.org Website: http://www.enaca.org/marinefish/“
AAPQIS Aquatic Animal Pathogen and Quarantine Information System
A resource not to be overlooked for obtaining information on aquatic animal health and diseases, particularly for the Asian-Pacific region is AAPQIS, which has an informative web site on the Internet, with literature downloads. See http://www.aapqis.org/ for the home page, and http://www.aapqis.org/main/wwd.asp for the following description.
"AAPQIS is a collection of scientific literature, detailing global occurrence of pathogens and diseases of aquatic animals. The system includes mapping and regional cross-referencing tools to help in prevention and spread of pathogens and diseases.
"Measures to combat diseases of fish and shellfish are assuming high priority in almost all regions of the world, including the Asia-Pacific Region. A series of major disease epizootics have hit aquatic animals over the past decade (e.g., Epizootic Ulcerative Syndrome (EUS) in freshwater fish, and several viral diseases of penaeid shrimps; Monodon Baculovirus (MBV), Yellowhead Disease (YHD), White Spot Syndrome (WSS), etc.). These outbreaks have caused significant economic losses to Asia-Pacific aquaculture as well as artisanal fisheries. In Latin America, Taura Syndrome Virus (TSV) and WSSV have caused significant economic losses in shrimp culture production, while epizootics caused by Marteilia refringens and Bonamia ostreae have caused major damage to European oyster aquaculture.
"These problems have led to heightened interest in quarantine and health certification programmes to prevent the introduction and spread of aquatic pathogens. Additionally, recent international trade developments have increased attention to the disease status of exporting and importing countries. The absence of a given disease in an importing country can now, under certain circumstances, form the basis for blocking shipments of live aquatic animals and their products from countries where the disease is documented to occur. Where such trade prevention is officially disputed, however, the importing country is required by the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and Office International des Epizooties (OIE – World Animal Health Organisation) to provide convincing evidence (e.g., past health-history documentation and ongoing monitoring program data) that the country is indeed free of the pathogen in question.
"To address such aquatic health production and trade problems effectively, quarantine workers and government policy makers need access to accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date information on both known and potential pathogens occurring in their countries (identities, hosts, distributions, pathogenicities, life cycles, zoonotic importance, etc.). In addition, comparable information is required for the aquatic animals to be imported. Such information is essential for scientifically-based assessment of the risks posed to existing aquaculture and wild stocks by live transfers. These assessments need to be based on scientific and defensible data in order to be effective. Since most imports and exports of live aquatic animals fall within limited time-frames of opportunity, these assessments and resultant decisions need to be made in an expedient manner.
"The Aquatic Animal Pathogen and Quarantine Information System (AAPQIS) aims to provide a mechanism for assessing information on aquatic animal pathogens and diseases, with tools to help mapping, tracking, and regional cross-referencing of literature. Since this information is derived from the scientific literature, as well as a team of established experts in different fields of aquatic animal health, it can be adapted for use by national governments for establishing national systems for disease reporting and tracking, as well as for reference information for aquatic animal health diagnosticians and academia.
IFAH International Federation for Animal Health
"IFAH (International Federation for Animal Health) is the federation representing manufacturers of veterinary medicines, vaccines and other animal health products in both developed and developing countries across five continents.
"Its goal is to promote a harmonised, science-based regulatory and trade framework, and marketplace environment that supports an animal health industry which is economically viable and innovation driven, contributing to a healthy and safe food supply as well as a high level of animal health and welfare.
IFAH has redesigned its website to make navigation and information retrieval easier. If you wish to receive information updates on a regular basis (e.g. press releases and position papers), please send us an e-mail to info@ifahsec.org and we will include you in our distribution list."
The address for the organization in the United States that represents IFAH is FHI, the Animal Health Institute:
President: Mr. A. Mathews
1325 G Street, NW n Suite 700
Washington, D.C. 20005-3104 USA
tel: +1 202 637 2440
fax: +1 202 393 1667
e-mail: amathews@ahi.org
website: http://www.ahi.org
OIE World Organization for Animal Health
The OIE (orginally its name in French was Office International des Epizooties) for over 80 years has been an important international organization in monitoring global human and animal diseases, including in aquatic animals.
Its reports, usually weekly (vol. 19 in 2006) - available free to individuals as e-mailings - have been extremely important through the years in keeping track of diseases around the world. Every year they are reporting about 2-5 outbreaks of diseases affecting fishes (including ornamental fishes such as koi) and aquatic invertebrates every year.
Following is OIE's description of itself (see http://www.oie.int/eng/en_index.htm):
Status: The OIE is an intergovernmental organization created by the International Agreement of 25 January 1924, signed by 28 countries. In May 2004, the OIE totalled 167 Member Countries.
Missions: To ensure transparency in the global animal disease situation
"Each Member Country undertakes to report the animal diseases that it detects on its territory. The OIE then disseminates the information to other countries, which can take the necessary preventive action. This information also includes diseases transmissible to humans and intentional introduction of pathogens. Information is sent out immediately or periodically depending on the seriousness of the disease. This objective applies to disease occurences both naturally occuring and deliberately caused. Dissemination is via the OIE Web site, e-mail and the following periodicals: Disease Information, published weekly and the annual compilation World Animal Health.
"To collect, analyse and disseminate veterinary scientific information
"The OIE collects and analyses the latest scientific information on animal disease control. This information is then made available to the Member Countries to help them to improve the methods used to control and eradicate these diseases. Guidelines are prepared by the network of 156 OIE Coolaborating Centres and Reference Laboratories across the world.
"Scientific information is also disseminated through various works and periodicals published by the OIE, notably the Scientific and Technical Review (3 issues a year).
"To provide expertise and encourage international solidarity in the control of animal diseases
"The OIE provides technical support to Member Countries requesting assistance with animal disease control and eradication operations, including diseases transmissible to humans. The OIE notably offers expertise to the poorest countries to help them control animal diseases that cause livestock losses, present a risk to public health and threaten other Member Countries.
"The OIE has a permanent contact to international regional and national financial organizations in order to convince them to invest more and better on the control of animal diseases and zoonosis.
"Within its mandate under the WTO SPS Agreement, to safeguard world trade by publishing health standards for international trade in animals and animal products
"The OIE develops normative documents relating to rules that Member Countries can use to protect themselves from the introduction of diseases and pathogens, without setting up unjustified sanitary barriers. The main normative works produced by the OIE are: the Terrestrial Animal Health Code, the Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals, the Aquatic Animal Health Code and the Manual of Diagnostic Tests for Aquatic Animals.
"OIE standards are recognised by the World Trade Organization as reference international sanitary rules. They are prepared by elected Specialist Commissions and by Working Groups bringing together internationally renowned scientists, most of whom are experts within the network of 156 Collaborating Centres and Reference Laboratories that also contribute towards the scientific objectives of the OIE. These standards are adopted by the International Committee.
"To improve the legal framework and resources of national Veterinary Services
"The Veterinary Services and laboratories of developing and transition countries are in urgent need of support to provide them with the necessary infrastructure, resources and capacities that will enable their countries to benefit more fully from the WTO Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement (SPS Agreement) while at the same time providing greater protection for animal health and public health and reducing the threat for other countries which are free of diseases.
The OIE considers the Veterinary Services as a Global Public Good and their bringing into line with international standards (structure, organisation, resources, capacities, role of paraprofessionals) as a public investment priority.
"Organisation: The Office is placed under the authority and control of an International Committee consisting of Delegates designated by the Governments of Member Countries.
"The day-to-day operation of the OIE is managed by a Central Bureau situated in Paris, placed under the responsibility of a Director General elected by the International Committee. The Central Bureau implements the resolutions passed by the International Committee and developed with the support of elected Commissions:
Administrative Commission
Regional Commissions (5)
Specialist Technical Commissions (4)
"The OIE's financial resources are derived principally from regular annual contributions backed up by voluntary contributions from Member Countries.
"International Relationships: The OIE maintains permanent relations with more than 20 other international organisations. The Office has also appointed regional coordinators on all 5 continents.
"History: Incursions of rinderpest into Europe and most notably the epizootic which occurred in Belgium in 1920 led to the creation of the Office International des Epizooties in 1924."
For a recent announcement see "The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) is currently in the process of establishing ethical guidelines for aquatic animals. At the OIE Global Conference on Aquatic Animal Health held in Norway the main topics discussed were: Emerging aquatic animal health and welfare issues; science that supports policy making; involvement and cooperation among all stakeholders; early detection, rapid response and reporting of aquatic animal diseases; and preparing and responding to aquatic animal disease emergencies." For more information about the “OIE Global Conference on Aquatic Animal Health” visit: http://www.oie.int/eng/Norway2/home.htm (From: Intervet, Issue 63, November 21, 2006)
Updated : 09-Jan-2007 OIE launches WAHID, unique global animal health database
http://www.oie.int/eng/press/en_070109.htm
The World Animal Health Information Database (WAHID) interface is now available on the OIE web Site and operational. This new extensive database is a milestone in OIE efforts to improve the transparency, efficiency and speed with which animal health information is disseminated throughout the world.
Complementary to the on-line notification made by OIE Member Countries through the World Animal Health Information System (WAHIS) launched in April 2006, WAHID offers all available data on animal diseases, including zoonoses, per country, region, month and year. Among others, the database also compiles country animal population, exceptional epidemiological events maps, global animal diseases distribution maps or comparative disease status between two countries. The latter application can help define health hazards linked to the trade of live animals and animal products between countries.
“WAHID is designed to provide high quality animal diseases information to all stakeholders including veterinary services, international organisations, trading partners, academics, the media and the larger public. All can access and monitor with us the evolution of animal diseases in one or several countries or regions of the world,” Dr Karim Ben Jebara, Head of the OIE Animal Health Information Department explained.
The new web interface will replace Handistatus II that compiles data from 1996 to 2004. Handistatus II will disappear when all this data is transferred into the more user-friendly WAHID.
WAHIS and WAHID are the unique system worldwide in the field of animal health information. WAHID can be found on the OIE website home page or on the following link: www.oie.int/wahid.
FAO FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION of the UNITED NATIONS
FAO is recognized as a foremost world organization in the promotion of aquaculture and aquatic animal health.
See http://www.fao.org/
"The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Serving both developed and developing countries, FAO acts as a neutral forum where all nations meet as equals to negotiate agreements and debate policy. FAO is also a source of knowledge and information. We help developing countries and countries in transition modernize and improve agriculture, forestry and fisheries practices and ensure good nutrition for all. Since our founding in 1945, we have focused special attention on developing rural areas, home to 70 percent of the world's poor and hungry people. FAO's activities comprise four main areas:
Putting information within reach.
Sharing policy expertise.
Providing a meeting place for nations.
Bringing knowledge to the field."
Also see Globefish http://www.globefish.org/ and FIN www.fishinfonet.org
"The FISHINFONetwork (FIN) www.fishinfonet.org consists of 7 independent intergovernmental and governmental organisations plus the FAO based GLOBEFISH unit, situated in the Fisheries Department of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the UN (FAO).
"Created to assist the fishery sector particularly in developing countries and countries in transition, the network provides services to private industry and to governments.
"The execution of multilateral and bilateral projects is one of the main activities of the network. It is also widely known for its range of publications and periodicals as well as for the organisation of international conferences, workshops and training seminars.
'FIN has more than 70 full time staff members and works with over 100 additional international consultants in all fields of fisheries. 50 national governments have signed international agreements with the different FIN services and are using the expertise of these services to develop the fishery sector worldwide.
"See http://www.globefish.org/?id=994 for the individual service for more detailed information.
INFOPESCA (South and Central America)
INFOFISH (Asia and Pacific region)
INFOPECHE (Africa)
INFOSA (Southern Africa)
INFOSAMAK (Arab countries)
EUROFISH (Eastern and Central Europe)
INFOYU (China)
FAO issues an "Aquaculture Newsletter" FAN twice a year. See http://www.fao.org/fi/eims_search/advanced_s_result.asp?NO_IN_SERIE=FAN*&lang=en&sortorder=3&form_c=AND
FAO DIAS Database on Introductions of Aquatic Species
http://www.fao.org/figis/servlet/static?dom=collection&xml=dias.xml
"The database includes records of species introduced or transferred from one country to another."
FAO FIGIS Fisheries Global Information System
http://www.fao.org/figis/servlet/static?dom=root&xml=aquaculture/index.xml
Includes News, Global and Regional Reviews on Aquaculture Development, Glossary of Aquaculture, Fact Sheets, Publications, etc.
FAO AGORA Access to Global Online Research in Agriculture
See http://www.aginternetwork.org/en/
"The AGORA program, set up by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) together with major publishers, enables developing countries to gain access to an outstanding digital library collection in the fields of food, agriculture, environmental science and related social sciences. AGORA provides a collection of 918 journals to institutions in 107 countries. AGORA is designed to enhance the scholarship of the many thousands of students, faculty and researchers in agriculture and life sciences in the developing world."
INFOFISH
"Intergovernmental Organization for Marketing Information and Technical Advisory Services for fishery products in the Asia Pacific Region."
"INFOFISH was originally launched in 1981 as a project of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. Since 1987, it is an Intergovernmental Organization providing marketing information and technical advisory services to the fishery industry of the Asia-Pacific region and beyond from its headquarters in Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia. Eleven countries are currently members of INFOFISH which are Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, DPR Korea, Malaysia, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Thailand.
"INFOFISH is the leading source of marketing support for fish producers and exporters in the Asia-Pacific - a region which includes some of the largest fishing nations in the world. Its publication of current and long-term marketing information and operation of technical advisory and specialized services. In addition to organizing exhibitions, conferences, workshops, seminars and training programs. INFOFISH undertakes consultancies on all aspects of fisheries pre-harvest, harvest and post-harvest."
INFOFISH publishes INFOFISH international, "INFOFISH "The Fish Inspector," and others, that are mainly on fisheries issues.
INFOFISH address:
1st floor, Wisma PKNS, Jalan Raja Laut,
P.O. Box 10899, 50728, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
tel (603) 26914466, fax (603) 26916804
e-mail finfish@po.jaring.my
GAA GLOBAL AQUACULTURE ALLIANCE
"MISSION
The mission of the GAA is to further environmentally responsible aquaculture to meet world food needs.
"VISION The GAA will strive to:
Develop and encourage the use of aquaculture system designs, installations and operations sensitive to and compatible with environmental and community needs;
Improve production and marketing efficiencies to provide aquaculture products to larger segments of the world's population;
Promote effective and coordinated government regulatory and international trade policies;
Articulate the importance of aquaculture as a source of food and employment and its compatibility with community needs and environmental protection."
"FUNCTIONS The GAA shall:
Be a source of information about the aquaculture industry to consumers, government agencies and the media.
Be an advocate for the industry in international forums;
Assist its members in advocacy to national governments;
Organize and support technological research;
Provide technical and other information."
See http://www.gaalliance.org/maga.html#CURRENT for information on its publication appearing twice a year, "Global Aquaculture Advocate" which has a Health Management section with articles by experts. The Global Aquaculture Alliance also issues its GAA Updates by e-mail. Membership $60 per year.
Global Aquaculture Alliance -- http://www.gaalliance.org
5661 Telegraph Road, Suite 3A -- St. Louis, Missouri 63129 USA
Telephone: 314-293-5500 -- Fax: 314-293-5525 -- E-mail: homeoffice@gaalliance.org
IAAAM International Association for Aquatic Animal Medicine
contact: Lisa Ford
University of Idaho, Department of Fish and Wildlife
Moscow, Idaho 83844-1136 USA
208 885-7608; 208 885-9080 (fax)
lford@uidaho.edu
The IAAAM has annual conferences, publishes proceedings, a newsletter, member directory, booklets, etc.
For the Internet web site of IAAAM see http://www.iaaam.org/. "A fully searchable CD-Rom (created by Omnipress) containing volumes 1 through 36 of the Proceedingsfrom IAAAM Annual Conferences [1968-2005] is available for $75 through its Internet web site." IAAAM publishes an informative quarterly electronic newsletter "IAAM News", for which the issues back to 2002 are available on the organization's web site. Also for member's use only it has a Directory of its members, a Discussions Forum, and a booklet on "Diagnostic Techniques in Aquatic Animal Medicine". Professional membership is $40 per year paid before July 1st, and $50 afterwards.
"The objectives of the International Association for Aquatic Animal Health (IAAAM) are 1) to advance the art and science of aquatic animal medicine and health and promote the free exchange of knowledge in the interest of improving the health care and husbandry of aquatic animals in the domestic sense and the proper management of aquatic animals; 2) to proved an organization within which interested and professionally qualified individuals can work together to achieve these objectives; 3) to provide a setting in which the development of the practice of aquatic animal medicine, by doctors of veterinary medicine who so aspire, may be facilitated and enhanced; and 4) to promote the application of veterinary medicine principles, by doctors of veterinary medicine, to aquatic animal disease problems. Membership includes persons who have contributed to the advancement of aquatic animal medicine, are involved in aquatic animal medicine practice, research or teaching aquatic animal medical science, are engaged in the management of aquatic animals, or persons who devote a portion of their professional activities to aquatic animal medicine or science."
Myxozoan Network
http://www.iats.csic.es/~patolog2/index.htm
"Myxozoans are microscopic parasitic single-celled animals in their own phylum. Among the most prominent Myxozoans affecting fishes are Henneguya (pikes, freshwater tropical fishes), Myxidium freshwater eels and freshwater tropical fishes), Myxobolus (killifiefishes, pikes, sunfishes), Mitraspora (goldfishes), and over 12 genera affecting a wide assortment of marine fishes."
"About the Myxozoan Network: In view of the ever-increasing interest in myxozoan parasites, a group of researchers got together during the 2003 EAFP (European Association of Fish Pathologists, www.eafp.org) meeting and agreed to initiate a network for scientists involved with myxozoan research. The network has two main objectives:
* To link myxozoan researchers for the purposes of sharing knowledge and encouraging collaboration, thereby advancing our understanding of myxozoan biology and ecology on a worldwide scale.
* To serve as a directory and information source for aquaculture professionals affected by myxozoan-related problems.
"The core of the network is a group of researchers working on different aspects of myxozoan biology. If you are interested in becoming part of the network, please fill in the [onsite] subscription form. Network members receive periodic email newsletters and are listed in our online network contacts database."
Listed as contacts are Stephen Atkinson stephen@2am.com.au
Jerri Bartholomew bartholj@science.oregonstate.edu
EAFP European Association of Fish Pathologists
http://www.eafp.org. "The beginnings of the EAFP. Participants in the first meeting of the EIFAC/OIE Co-operative Programme of Research on Aquaculture (COPRAQ), Zagreb 1975, recognised the importance of direct contact between research workers and the need for rapid dissemination of information. It was suggested that important information might be disseminated through publication of leaflets and news sheets by a professional association rather than by publication through the normal channels. The possibility of establishing an association of fish pathologists for that purpose was recommended.
"The vast majority of workers engaged in fish disease studies throughout Europe supported the establishment of such an association and a committee of five (R. Bootsma, B..J. Hill, R.J. Roberts, S. Sarig and P.E. Vestergård-Jørgensen) was elected by postal ballot. This committee was given the task of organising the formation of the European Association of Fish Pathologists. The first task of the organising committee was to draw up a list of known active workers in the field of fish pathology in Europe. The organising committee drafted the statutes of the association which were discussed and approved at the inaugural meeting held in Munich in October 1979.
"Objectives of the EAFP. The objectives of the newly formed Association were defined as the promotion of the exchange of knowledge on, and assistance in the co-ordination of research related to fish and shellfish pathology. To this end it was intended that the Association would organise the publication of a regular newsletter. Membership was to be open to all fish and shellfish pathologists, students of fish pathology and organisations, agencies or other associations which had an interest in maintaining the objectives of the Association.
"A Council of Officers to manage the Association was elected at the inaugural meeting. At the end of the first 6 months, membership was just over 50 and 11 branches had been established within Europe. The popularity of the EAFP and what it was attempting to achieve was reflected by a continuous stream of enquiries from people wishing to become members. Total membership had grown to over 90 in the first year."
"New members are always welcome [Annual Membership Dues in Swiss Francs -- 66 CHF for regular member, 33 CHF for students] and the benefits of membership include:
"Six issues of the Bulletin of the EAFP per annum.
"Free copies of any additional EAFP publications (See 'Publications' [on the web site] for information on our publications or a flavour of the content of the last EAFP Bulletin.). [Also published is e-News, Members Handbook, EAFP Histopathology Worshop CD's, "What Should I Do" booklets, and Guideline Documents.]
"Access to more than 1200 colleagues from 61 countries worldwide through an updated copy of the Members Handbook every 2 years.
"If you would like to become a member complete a membership form and return it to your Branch Official, [see web site http://www.eafp.org/BranchOfficers.html for addresses; for the U.S. it is Diane G. Elliott diane_elliott@usgs.gov] or directly to the General Secretary:"
Dr. Paul Midtlyng
VESO
PO Box 8109 Dep., NO-0032 Oslo, Norway
T: +47 2296 1120
F +47 2296 1101
E-mail: paul.midtlyng@veso.no
