Strengthening Disease Identification, Prevention, and Mitigation in the NCR by Providing Fish Farmers with Tools to Respond to Fish Health Problems

Duration:
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Project Summary

Improving farmed fish health in the NCR was identified as a priority need during the 2020 NCR Aquaculture Roundtable Sessions. We are proposing a series of workshops focused on providing theoretical and practical knowledge on fish disease detection, diagnosis, control, and biosecurity, including delivery of hands-on technical skills to fish producers, extension educators and fish health regulators, in Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. In addition, this project includes the evaluation of risk factors associated with morbidity and mortalities on tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus hybrids), yellow perch (Perca flavescens), and largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), and will consider other species if time and resources allow it. Later, we will evaluate the interest of fish producers for incorporating vaccination practices to improve fish production and productivity. Currently, it has been found that only 11% of producers vaccinate, but producers have expressed strong interest in receiving assistance on vaccinating tilapia, largemouth bass, and other important NCR species.

Objectives:

  1. Provide practical training to fish producers on fish diseases, and diagnostic practices.
  2. Identify current fish health practices.
  3. Introduce minimum standards for fish health record-keeping in the North Central Region.
  4. Introduce a model for fish farmers to identify, prevent and respond to fish health problems.
  5. Develop extension materials and information on fish disease identification, prevention, and response practices.
  6. Identify future needs to improve fish health.
  7. Evaluate fish farmers’ interest for potential use of fish vaccination to minimize production losses in fish culture.

Duration:  3 Years (January 1, 2025-December 31, 2027

Participants

PI:  Herbert Quintero, Ohio State University

Co-PI:  Myron Kebus, Michigan State University, College of Veterinary Medicine

Co-PI:  Stuart Carlton, Purdue University

Co-PI:  Amy Shambach, Purdue University

Extension Liaison:  Emma Hauser, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point

Industry Liaison:  Margaret Cleveland, Ozark Fisheries

Project Outline

Proposal

Award Amount

$160,661

Award Number

2024-38500-42307