Shellfish Pathology - Key Factor in Mussel Farming. A Black Sea Tailored Approach within the Shellfish Aquaculture Demonstrative Center (S-ADC)

Abstract

The Black Sea is acknowledged to be a unique aquatic ecosystem, characterized by complex aquaculture - environment interactions, whereby a tailored approach of this field is absolutely necessary. Black Sea aquaculture, although not as developed as in the Mediterranean, is exposed to the spread of aquatic diseases and pathologies that can cause heavy losses to farmers, as well as generate public health problems. The 10 th session of the Scientific Advisory Committee on Aquaculture (CAQ) of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) (Turkey, March 2017) recognized that environmental protection is a major concern and stressed the importance of tackling all environmental aspects related to aquaculture at sea, including the use of risk analysis and data recording to assess aquaculture - environment interactions, as well as the vulnerability of ecosystems and the ecological services they provide. Furthermore, the GFCM adopted, at its 41 st Session (Montenegro, October 2017), a strategy for the sustainable development of Mediterranean and Black Sea aquaculture (Resolution GFCM/41/2017/1). Target 2 of this strategy aims in particular at enhancing interactions between aquaculture and the environment, while ensuring animal health and welfare in order to minimize potential negative externalities, ensure adequate and responsible aquaculture management in the region and guarantee food safety and food quality. In this context, in the frame of NIMRD’s Shellfish Aquaculture Demonstrative Center (S-ADC), a dedicated training course was organized during 6-10 May 2019, focusing on preventing and controlling mussel pathologies by acquiring knowledge of bacterial contamination, as well as early diagnosis. The course included both theoretical and practical modules (sampling, laboratory analyses, field visits). Also, complex issues were addressed, such as legislative and institutional gaps in the classification of mollusks from the veterinary point of view for consumption and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP). The trainees represented institutions from Bulgaria, Georgia, Turkey, Russia, Ukraine and Romania, and the lecturers were both NIMRD and foreign experts in shellfish Pathology.