Crustacean diseases
The
global crustacean aquaculture industry is worth more than $10
billion. There are significant fisheries for marine crabs,
lobsters and shrimp with commodity and the live transport of
harvested products among EU member states, Asian and South
American countries.
The UK is central to this market with important fisheries for
edible crab (Cancer pagurus), lobster (Homarus
gammarus), Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) and
several species of shrimp (eg, Crangon spp.,
Pandalus spp., Palaemon spp.).
Our scientists have considerable expertise in the diagnosis of
crustacean diseases. In recent years we have discovered a range of
viral, bacterial, fungal and parasitic organisms infecting these
and other hosts. We are using this new information to assess the
effect that these diseases may have on stock mortality and,
therefore, the sustainability of the fisheries.
Changes to the European Community's Fish Health Directive
(2006/88/EC), adopted in 2008, include three globally
significant viral diseases of concern to European wildlife:
- white spot disease
- yellowhead disease
- Taura syndrome.
Under the new Directive, disease outbreak events in susceptible
European crustacean species will be investigated for the presence
of these viruses, and for other pathogens. This is a
frontline tool to prevent their spread between EU member states and
to lessen any impact on commercially and ecologically important
crustacean populations.
Our critical review of the susceptibility of crustaceans to
these diseases, and implicatons for European legislation, was
published in
Aquaculture, Volume 291, Issues 1-2 (June 2009), pp
1-17.
As the European Union Reference Laboratory (EURL) for crustacean
diseases, we are at the centre of this new initiative, providing
expert advice and offering biosecure laboratory and aquarium facilities designed
for studies into exotic diseases.
For further information about our work, visit the EURL
crustacean disease website or contact us at crustaceancrl@cefas.co.uk.