Diseases and veterinary aspects related to aquaculture
Overall Course Objectives
The student will be able to understand technical and biological causes for disease problems in different aquaculture systems (incl. organic farming) and how to prevent, treat and manage diseases in farmed aquatic animals. Animal welfare and legislative issues will be addressed as well. The course will provide theoretical understanding of health as an important production factor in aquaculture. Focus will be on rainbow trout and salmon, but also other relevant fish species and shellfish will be included.
Learning Objectives
- Identify and explain the major challenges in preventive health measures, diseases and disease treatment in fish and shellfish.
- Evaluate hygiene procedures and diseases in different technological aquaculture production systems.
- Assess the potential risk posed by misuse of antibiotics in terms of pollution of the environment with medicals, antimicrobial resistance and food safety issues related to residues in fish.
- Explain the influence of environmental stressors as handling, water quality, nutritional status and feed formulation on health status and welfare of fish.
- Demonstrate knowledge on the biology of pathogenic organisms (bacteria, virus, fungi and parasites) and their interaction with the host organism and the production facilities.
- Collect suitable samples for diagnosis of diseases and/or pathogenic organisms in fish and shellfish.
- Explain control strategies of infectious diseases, e.g. by eradication, vaccination, administration of therapeutants
- Describe and evaluate methods for detection, isolation and characterization of pathogens.
- Have insight into the legislation related to aquaculture, animal rights and disease management.
Course Content
Introduction to pathogens and diseases found in aquaculture. Disease diagnosis. Methods for prevention of diseases. Impact of disease outbreaks on animal welfare and economic sustainability of production. Nutritional effects on disease status. National and international legislation in relation to aquaculture production and health. Control methods, e.g. antimicrobial agents and chemical additives. General aspects of ethics and welfare in aquaculture. Zoonotic diseases related to aquaculture.
Teaching Method
Lectures, guest lectures, student presentations of relevant literature, project work.
Faculty
Remarks
This course provides students with competences relevant to UN SDGs, particularly #12 (Responsible consumption and production) and #14 (Life below water)
Limited number of seats
Minimum: 8, Maximum: 24.
Please be aware that this course has a minimum requirement for the number of participants needed, in order for it to be held. If these requirements are not met, then the course will not be held. Furthermore, there is a limited number of seats available. If there are too many applicants, a pool will be created for the remainder of the qualified applicants, and they will be selected at random. You will be informed 8 days before the start of the course, whether you have been allocated a spot.