KHV Raises the Issue of Bio-security at Fisheries

Bio-security is already, and always has been, a big issue for fish importers, farmers, breeders and retailers. They need to ensure that strains are kept separate and distinct, that waters do not mix and 1001 other things are done correctly on their farms and production units, to limit the opportunity for diseases to break out and to ensure clean stocks.

How many of us running fisheries do the same?

Part of the problem in tracing the source(s) of the recent KHV outbreaks has been that many fisheries have many fish suppliers. One simple step we can all take in improving our own bio-security is to deal with only one fish farmer and rely on him for all our stock.

Bio-security will grow in importance for all of us as fishery managers with the effects of climate change. We need to be raising our awareness of the issues now and starting to implement good practice. SAA will be working with others to produce a Bio-security guide for anglers and fishery managers and you will hear about it here first.