Principles of Genetics and Breeding

15.1.8.3. Contingency planning

All proposals for introductions and transfers should include planning for actions to be taken in case escape of animals or pathogens from quarantine occur or a serious pathogen fail to be detected during quarantine and be released into aquaculture facilities or the natural environment.

The International Council for the Exploration of the SEA (ICES) in its “ICES Code of Practice on the Introductions and Transfers of Marine Organisms” (ICES, 2005), provides a recommended protocol for the introduction or transfer of live marine organisms that includes a decision-making process incorporating consideration of risks due to possible ecological (pest), pathogen and genetic impacts of the species being moved to the receiving country.

Once a decision has been made to introduce or transfer an aquatic organism, the ICES Code provides a general protocol on how the movement should occur, with long-term quarantine being a fundamental component.

Most recently, in support of FAO’s Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (CCRF), FAO (2007) has provided general guidance for the safe transboundary movement of live aquatic animals, including recommendations on the use of biosecurity measures such as quarantine.

Recently, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), NACA and AusVet, has drafted a set of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for health certification and quarantine measures for the safe movement of live food finfish between ASEAN Member Countries.

The European Union (EU) has implemented a comprehensive programme to assure health standards for aquatic animals traded between EU Member Countries that is based on the definition of important pathogens and their hosts (disease lists), regionalization and zoning, controls on movements between zones of different status and disease testing that are spelled out in EU Directives, Decisions and Regulations.

Quarantine must be applied in the case of wild-caught animals from deepsea waters that are to be used for breeding in approved zones or farms.

It may also be applied as a post-border health condition to consignments of aquatic animals originating from listed third countries (non-EU Member Countries).

At the national level, a number of countries have established protocols for the operation of quarantine facilities, those developed by Australia and New Zealand being among the most comprehensive.

Protocols for the quarantine of aquatic animals have also been enacted in the legislation of many developing countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia and Namibia.

At the production facility level, guidance on the quarantine of new broodstock in shrimp hatcheries can be found in FAO (2006).