Bottlenecks in diagnostics of Mediterranean fish diseases

Three independent Horizon 2020 projects are prioritising a common task of solving diagnostic issues using different approaches and strategies. PerformFISH focuses its research objectives on diagnostic methods, MedAID has prepared a diagnostic manual for the most devastating fish diseases of the Mediterranean and ParaFishControl has prepared a diagnostic manual on parasitic diseases of European aquaculture species. Currently, the projects are investing large collaborative efforts to reinforce their tasks and to deliver mutual and cutting-edge material on the subject. Nevertheless, further efforts for the harmonisation, standardisation and validation of diagnostic methods for infectious diseases in Mediterranean aquaculture are needed, involving as many relevant stakeholders and experts as possible. The main goal of the workshop (WS) \u201cBottlenecks in diagnostics of Mediterranean fish diseases\u201d, organised during the 19th International EAFP conference on Diseases of Fish and Shellfish, was to present results already obtained from the projects and discuss the bottlenecks in diagnostic procedures of target groups of pathogens. The WS provided an ideal environment and opportunity to exchange and discuss experiences and data with international experts in the diagnostic field attending the conference. Interactive discussions on diagnostics for a specific group of pathogens have resulted in highlighting new initiatives needed in the management of diseases in Mediterranean aquaculture. Furthermore, the WS emphasised a need for the establishment of this strong interactive network which will collaborate to receive, collect, compile and analyse all information gathered from different parts of the region

Open workshop: Bottlenecks in diagnostics of Mediterranean fish diseases

The goal of two EU funded projects in the frame of Horizon 2020, namely MedAID and PerformFISH, is to increase the overall competitiveness and sustainability of the Mediterranean marine fish-farming sector, throughout the whole value chain. An important aspect of both projects is managing transmissible diseases of farmed fish. Another H2020 project ParaFishControl, aiming to improve understanding of fish-parasite interaction and developing innovative solutions and tools for the prevention, control and mitigation of farmed fish parasitic diseases, interacts with these two projects in the field of the parasitic diseases. The projects are actively cooperating in all possible aspects and the workshop will cover one of the mutual interests of these three EU H2020 projects: diagnostics. PerformFISH is working on a deliverable on diagnostic methods and MedAID and ParaFishControl have prepared Diagnostic Manuals for certain diseases. Still, further efforts for the validation of diagnostic methods of infectious diseases in Mediterranean aquaculture are needed. In addition, harmonization of recommended procedures is necessary for the generation of meaningful field data at all levels, and the scope of diagnostic manuals is to standardize these procedures as much as possible. Workshop program: 1. Presentations: \u2022 Diagnostic methods (PerformFISH and MedAID) \u2022 Diagnostic manual on viral and bacterial diseases of seabass and seabream (MedAID) \u2022 Diagnostic manual on parasitic diseases of European aquacultured fish. (ParaFishControl) \u2022 Diagnostic capacities in the Mediterranean basin (PerformFISH and MedAID) 2. Working group discussion with the following topics: \u2022 VNN \u2022 Vibrio and Tenacibaculum \u2022 Fastidious and intracellular bacteria, Red Rash Syndrome \u2022 Identification and assessment of intestinal parasites and ectoparasites Each group should discuss challenges in implementing standardized procedures and the bottlenecks in diagnostics of the mentioned pathogens and prepare a summary from the discussion for presentation in plenary. The discussion will be moderated by experts of MedAID, PerformFISH and ParaFishControl. 3. The final plenary session will summarize bottlenecks, discuss the way forward to overcome them and try to make conclusions. The summary of the discussions and conclusions is planned to be written in a joint publication for the EAFP Bulletin