Expected Outcomes/Outputs of the Year 2014 None as the project has been completed in 2013

4.2 Expected Outcomes/Outputs of the Year 2014 None as the project has been completed in 2013.

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Appendix 9 of Annex 4 PROJECT DOCUMENT

Project id: 021003

Program Categories:

Programs under the Fisheries Consultative Group of the ASEAN-SEAFDEC Strategic Partnership (FCG/ASSP) Mechanism

Project Title: Accelerating Awareness and Capacity-building in Fish Health Management in Southeast Asia

Program Thrust: II Total Duration: 5 years (2010-2014) Lead Department: Aquaculture Department Lead Country: Philippines

Project Sponsor: Japanese Trust Fund Project Partner:

Proposed Budget: This year budget:

Prepared by: Teruo Azuma,

Deputy Chief Project Leader: Teruo Azuma,

Deputy Chief 1. INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND

The control of fish diseases and the promotion of fish health under farming conditions are essential components of aquaculture to ensure a stable supply of fish products. To meet the various standards required by the global market is also a growing pressure for developing countries. It is important to better understand the risks, impacts and management problems related to diseases because their quality greatly affects the commodities’ chance for export. Better understanding of issues affecting disease occurrences and their control can promote the livelihood of small holders and aquafarmers specifically in rural communities.

The status of fish health management remains generally poor in some ASEAN countries, although remarkable technical advances in the diagnosis, prevention and control of fish diseases have occurred worldwide. This requires not only technical development, but also the urgent acceleration of awareness and capacity building in fish health management in the Southeast Asia region. The latter would provoke small farmers and family-based enterprises composing a large sector of aquaculture in the region to bring interest on fish health issues linking to the increases of productivity and food safety. Additionally, training and skills’ development for researchers in counterpart countries on on-site samplings and disease identification should be promoted until such time that they can do the work independently.

On the technical aspect, establishment of preventive management strategies is needed to maintain the disease-free status of fish stocks. This will enable the aquafarmers to strictly monitor the health status so that early and effective intervention strategies can be implemented. The necessity to establish new methods to prevent fish disease, other than chemotherapy, is also increasing worldwide so as to guarantee food safety. Vaccine delivery by injection is not practical under field conditions. Immersion and oral administration have shown efficacy but the fate of the vaccine after uptake by epithelial and mucosal tissues and the duration of the protective response are uncertain. The study on the vaccine carrier, therefore, would be very important to increase productivity and food safety.

Regarding parasitic diseases, the study and expertise on mollusk diseases are still very scarce in spite of the increasing economic importance of these species. In addition, as for economically important freshwater fish species used as food fish, the fish-borne zoonotic parasites have not been fully investigated in Southeast Asian countries, especially in Cambodia, Lao PDR and Myanmar. Thus, these parasite studies should be undertaken.

The present project focuses on the acceleration of delivery of information and awareness building among the aquafarmers as well as on research and technology development which remain as the significant activities of SEAFDEC/AQD. An integrated fish-health-care system and management strategies are expected to be established through this project will ensure a holistic approach to a stable supply of safe aquaculture products.

97 2. PROJECT

2.1 Goal/Overall Objectives and Performance Indicators:

The project goal is to accelerate awareness and capacity building in fish health management in Southeast Asia.

The project objectives are to:

1) Accelerate awareness about fish health management in resource-deprived countries through industry- wide capacity building;

2) Guarantee food safety and sustainable production through innovative research; and 3) Disseminate output of the project.

The performance indicators are as follows.

1) Compilation of case studies that explain the problems and challenges and possible solutions to the implementation of fish health care in rural aquaculture, and to boost staff capability as well as develop and produce learning materials to further disseminate and sustain the activity;

2) Surveillance on the fish-borne zoonotic parasites of freshwater fish along with on-site training for capacity building of fish health workers on disease management strategies to reduce or prevent the spread of zoonotic parasitic diseases;

3) Refinement and application of molecular diagnostic methods for the detection of fish and shrimp viral diseases and preventive approaches that will enable the farmers to monitor the health status of their crop so that early and effective intervention strategies can be made;

4) Establishment of immunization regimen for the prevention of viral nervous necrosis in high value marine fish;

5) Establishment of novel prophylactic and therapeutic methods for the prevention of viral infections in commercially important maricultured fish;

6) Evaluation of various carriers for shrimp vaccination and to establish practical delivery methods and efficacy under field conditions; and

7) Elucidation of parasitic and shell diseases of abalone with their diagnosis, pathogenicities and prevention methods.

2.2 Expected Outcomes and Outputs:

Expected outcomes are:

1) Increase in awareness of primary aquatic animal health care in small-scale aquaculture;

2) Formulation of prophylactic and control methods of zoonotic parasite of freshwater fishes;

3) Development of plasmid positive controls for IHHNV, TSV, IMNV and VNN;

4) Determination of the level of neutralizing antibodies in the sera of booster vaccinated and unvaccinated sea bass broodstocks;

5) Evaluation of the antibacterial activity in vitro and in vivo;

6) Examination of a practical delivery system and optimize the administration method; and

7) Clarification of the reproductive characteristics and infection mechanisms of shell-boring polychaetes and formulate guidelines of prevention methods for parasite infections.

Expected outputs are:

1) Statistical data on the present status on awareness of primary aquatic animal health care by country;

2) Methodologies for control zoonotic parasite of freshwater fishes;

3) Molecular diagnose for virus diseases in fish and shrimp;

4) Effective scheme of immunization for the prevention of viral nervous necrosis;

5) Findings of prophylactic and therapeutic methods for the prevention of viral infections;

6) Practical delivery of vaccines to shrimp; and

7) Prevention of parasitic and shell diseases of abalone.

Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center

98 2.3 Project Description/Framework

Activity 1: Accelerating awareness about fish health management in resource-deprived countries through industry-wide capacity building

Information on various diseases affecting various species of fish and their health management strategies are already available. However, they may not have been effectively disseminated to stakeholders, especially small-holder farmers in rural communities in resource-deprived and developing countries of Southeast Asia such as Myanmar, Lao PDR, Cambodia and the Philippines. Effective disease control is pursed through on- site surveillance and training courses, which are targeting on technology providers, technology practitioners, industry associations, regional and national governments and advisory organizations, especially in small-scale aqua-farms.

Sub-activity 1.1: Survey on the status and needs of primary aquatic animal health care in small-scale aquaculture

Accelerating awareness about aquatic animal health management is indeed needed in resource-deprived Member Countries of SEAFDEC. The present study will have components that are aimed to highlight the needs of health care in rural and small-scale aquaculture focusing on freshwater fishes, crustaceans and shellfishes. Through the survey on the status and needs of primary aquatic animal health care, staff capability in this field will be boosted through a training-for-trainers program that will further disseminate information within the respective countries.

Sub-activity 1.2: Surveillance and training on parasite fauna of economically important freshwater fish in some Southeast Asian countries

Pertinent data on the parasite fauna in economically important freshwater fish species used as food in some Member Countries in Southeast Asia (Myanmar, Lao PDR, and Cambodia) have not been fully investigated. The present study conducts investigation on occurrence of parasite fauna of freshwater fish not only utilizing available diagnostic methods but also developing the methods for new or emerging diseases. Additionally, it is also the aim of this sub-activity to train and enhance the skills of research collaborators of mentioned Member Countries on on-site samplings and parasite identification.

Surveillance data will provide baseline information on parasite fauna and trainee will be able to carry out the research work independently.

Activity 2: Innovative Research to Guarantee Food Safety and Sustainable Production

Since current knowledge of fish health management is still inadequate compared with terrestrial animal industries, continued research is essential to expand this knowledge and improve management practices to prevent disease or limit its impact on the aquaculture. It is also recognized that new industries for novel species continue to emerge, and that health management within these industries is crucial to their sustainability. Thus, five broad categories of sub-activities in research are hereby included:

Sub-activity 2.1: Molecular diagnosis and prevention of economically-important viruses in fish and shrimp

Understanding of susceptibility and resistance to, and the threshold levels of viral diseases are essential components to accelerate awareness and capacity-building in fish health management. The present sub- activity will develop and optimize quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR)-based detection method and loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) protocols for screening of fish and shrimp viruses.

Information on species differences in susceptibility to WSSV among local shrimp species could be used as basis in choosing alternative species for culture.

Sub-activity 2.2: Establishment of immunization regimen for the prevention of viral nervous necrosis in high value marine broodfish

Serious mortality in seabass and several species of groupers caused by nervous necrosis virus (NNV) is a heavy challenge which should be overcome. Through vaccination study of potential broodstock candidates, vaccine safety and dosage will be optimized, and the correct booster vaccination schedule and the duration of protection in larvae conferred by maternal antibodies will be established and investigated in the present sub-activity. The expected outcomes will practically contribute toward establishment of sound fish health management program.

99

Sub-activity 2.3: Establishment of novel prophylactic and therapeutic methods for the prevention of viral infections in commercially important maricultured fish

Prophylactic and therapeutic approaches, which utilize antiviral substances extracted from not only ambient waters containing microorganisms but also aquatic organisms including fishes themselves, are strongly recommended as novel methods for fish health management in Southeast Asia. This sub-activity try to isolate indigenous bacteria from wild and cultured marine fishes possessing antiviral potential against important viral diseases and to screen antiviral substances from seaweeds that are indigenous in the Philippines. The isolation, purification and optimization of antiviral compounds from indigenous bacteria and seaweeds will be useful in controlling current and future viral infections especially affecting high-value marine fish species.

Sub-activity 2.4: Evaluation of carriers for practical delivery of vaccines to shrimp and other crustaceans

Studies on vaccine carriers have advanced in the last decade with the main objective of preventing bacterial diseases. However, they deserve further investigation to develop a practical and economically viable technology. The present sub-activity will screen various vaccine carriers such as live and inactivated recombinant bacteria, lactic acid bacteria, lipid vesicles, and chitosan, conduct booster-vaccination trials, test various delivery routes, test the vaccine in different species of shrimps and crabs, and to conduct field trials to verify efficacy under farm conditions. The availability of oral vaccines for shrimp would make booster-vaccination during grow-out culture possible. Reducing virus-associated mortality in shrimp culture will result in sustainable shrimp production.

Sub-activity 2.5: Parasitic and shell diseases of abalone (Haliotis asinina) in Philippines

Although abalone is becoming economically important recently, the occurrences of parasite fauna of abalone remain unknown. To increase the food safety level, understanding of infestation status and development of control method is a very urgent matter. The present study will survey parasites of wild and cultured abalone in the Philippines. Through the surveillance programs, the diagnosis of infection, pathology and the host-pathogen relationship will be described and used as a tool to develop effective solution of disease control.

Activity 3: Dissemination of Output of the Project

Dissemination of information on fish health is inevitable to the establishment of awareness and capacity- building in fish health management for productivity and food safety. This activity is comprised of the following two sub-activities.

Sub-activity 3.1: Publication of new information into popular materials

Manuals, posters, pamphlets and flyers describing disease prevention methods will be published and distributed.

Sub-activity 3.2: Maintenance and updating of website contents

Updated information on fish diseases management will be obtained from research results, scientific publications and the internet and help increase of productivity and food safety.

Activity 4: Annual Progress Meeting and International Workshop

Annual progress meeting and International Workshop will be organized to review the progresses and check the appropriateness of the project, and to disseminate new information to each member country.

Sub-activity 4.1: Annual progress meeting

Annual progress meeting will be held to review the project achievement. Evaluators will be invited to join the meeting to review/evaluate the project achievements.

Sub-activity 4.2: International Workshop

New information on fish health management will be presented and discussed by participants from ASEAN Member Countries, resource persons as well as study leaders in this project. Emerging problems that require urgent solutions will also be discussed to pave the way to promote and to assure the fish health management practices in the Southeast Asian region.

Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center

100 Activity 5: Coordination by the Project Leader

The project leader will coordinate and assist the research, training and dissemination, and also facilitate information exchange not only domestically but also among Member Countries so that fish health management will be effectively promoted in Southeast Asia. Semi-annual meeting will be held on July or August to confirm the progress of respective activities and sub-activities. Project achievements will be summarized at the end of year. Annual progress report will be prepared.

3. PROGRESS/ACHIEVEMENTS OF ACTIVITIES IN THE YEAR 2013 3.1 Activities Achievements in the Year 2013

Achievements based on Activities Duration Remarks 1. Accelerating awareness about fish health management in resource-

deprived countries through industry-wide capacity building

1.1 Survey on the status and needs of primary aquatic animal health care in small-scale aquaculture

- Survey of farming practices and fish health awareness

- Document farming practices and fish health awareness, and onsite training

1.2 Surveillance and training of fishborne zoonotic parasites of commercially important freshwater fish in some Southeast Asian countries - Surveillance of Parasite Fauna of Commercially Important Freshwater

Fish

- Analyze zoonotic parasites of freshwater fishes

2. Innovative Research to Guarantee Food Safety and Sustainable

In document THE THIRTY-SIXTH MEETING OF THE PROGRAM COMMITTEE OF THE SOUTHEAST ASIAN FISHERIES DEVELOPMENT CENTER (pahina 111-116)