Professional Skipper Magazine from VIP Publications

#92 Mar/Apr 2013 with NZ Aquaculture

The only specialised marine publication in Oceania that focuses on the maritime industry, from super yachts to small craft to large commercial ships, including coastal shipping, tugs, tow boats, barges, ferries, tourist, sport-fishing craft

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Are ornamentals SAFE OR A THREAT? new study concludes, that the $15 billion ornamental ���sh industry faces a global problem with antibiotic resistance, raising concern that treatments for ���sh diseases may not work when needed, and creating yet another mechanism for exposing humans to antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The risk to humans is probably minor unless they frequently work with ���sh or have compromised immune systems researchers said, although transmission of disease from tropical ���sh has been shown to occur. More serious is the risk to this industry, which has grown signi���cantly in recent years, and is now a $900 million annual business in the United States. There are few regulations in the US or elsewhere about treating ornamental ���sh with antibiotics, experts say. Antibiotics are used routinely, such as when ���sh are facing stress due to transport, whether or not they have shown any sign of disease. ���We expected to ���nd some antibiotic resistance, but it was surprising to ���nd such high levels, including resistance in some cases where the antibiotic is rarely used,��� said Tim MillerMorgan, a veterinary aquatics specialist with Oregon State University. ���We appear to already have set ourselves up for some pretty serious problems within the industry.��� In the new study, 32 freshwater ���sh of various species were tested for resistance to nine different antibiotics, and some resistance was found to every antibiotic. The highest level of resistance, 77 percent, was found with the common antibiotic tetracycline.The ���sh were tested in Portland, Oregan, after being transported from Colombia, Singapore and Florida. Findings of the study were reported in the Journal of Fish Diseases. The bacterial infections found in the ���sh included Aeromonas, Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus and others, several of which can infect both ���sh and humans. ���The range of resistance is often quite disturbing,��� the scientists wrote in their report. ���It is not uncommon to see resistance to a wide range of antibiotic classes, including beta-lactams, macrolides, tetracyclines, sulphonamides, quinolones, cephalosporins and chloramphenicol.��� Problems and concerns with antibiotic resistance have been growing for years, Miller-Morgan said. The nature of the resistance can range widely, causing an antibiotic to lose A some, or all of its effectiveness.There have been documented cases of disease transmission from ���sh to humans, he said, but it���s not common. It would be a particular concern for anyone with a weak or compromised immune system, he pointed out, and people with such health issues should discuss tropical ���sh management with their physician. Workers who constantly handle tropical ���sh may also face a higher level of risk. From an industry perspective, losses of ���sh to bacterial disease may become increasingly severe he said, because antibiotics will lose their effectiveness. Anyone handling tropical ���sh can use some basic precautions that should help, Miller-Morgan said. Consumers should buy only healthy ���sh; avoid cleaning tanks with open cuts or sores on their hands; use gloves; immediately remove sick ���sh from tanks; consider quarantining all new ���sh in a separate tank for 30 days; wash hands after working with ���sh; and never use antibiotics in a ���sh tank unless actually treating a known ���sh disease caused by bacteria.���We don���t think individuals should ever use antibiotics in a random, preventive or prophylactic method,��� Miller-Morgan said. ���Even hobbyists can learn more about how to identify tropical ���sh parasites and diseases, and use antibiotics only if a bacterial disease is diagnosed.��� On an industry level, he said, considerable progress could be made with improvements in ���sh husbandry, better screening and handling, and use of quarantines, rather than antibiotics, to reduce ���sh disease. The ornamental ���sh industry is large and diverse, including trade of more than 6000 species of freshwater and marine ���sh from more than 100 different countries. About half the supply originates in Asia, and freshwater farming of ornamental ���sh is a rapidly growing industry. The obvious question resulting from the above article is, ���Is our budding billion-dollar aquaculture industry at risk from the growing ornamental ���sh trade in New Zealand?��� The multi-million dollar ornamental ���sh trade operates mostly under a protective radar that we know very little about, and no one is prepared to be the ���rst to disclose for fear of their commercial competitors. Ed��� (The publication referred to in this news story is by: S Rose, R Hill, L E Bermudez, T Miller-Morgan, 2013) MARCH/APRIL 2013 ��� NZ AQUACULTURE ��� 13

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