Introductions of aquatic animals to the Pacific Islands: Disease threats and guidelines for quarantine

Humphry, J

"Disease of social, economic and ecological importance affecting fish, crustaceans and molluscs have spread widely as a result of failure to impose appropriate quarantine and health certification procedures. Within the Pacific Islands region, the need for quarantine of plants and domestic animals introduced into the region is well recognised but until recently, little emphasis was placed on quarantine of aquatic animals. Many aquatic animals have been introduced or transferred within the region and on occasions, diseases and pests have accompanied such movements. A spectrum of diseases and parasites have been described in the region. Many aquatic species present are likely hosts to serious diseases which occur elsewhere. Freedom from disease confers major social, economic and ecological advantages and a responsibility exists to protect the fisheries resources of the region from spread or introduction of disease. The implementation of a practical system of quarantine offers an opportunity to protect fisheries from disease within the South Pacific region. This study is presented as a basis for the development of a regional strategy for the quarantine of introduced aquatic animals. The basis of the strategy is the evaluation of candidate species on a case by case basis, with implementation of quarantine commensurate with the relative risk of disease introduction for that species. Quarantine is necessary for all transferred species. As different species present different risks with regard to introduction of exotic diseases, increased levels of quarantine and disease testing may be necessary with high risk species. Minimum requirements for the quarantine of aquatic animals are described. Factors determining the relative risk of disease posed by different species entry are discussed and additional measures which may be taken to protect against higher risk species are presented. Minimum quarantine requirements described include: * Evaluation of each transfer on a case by case basis. * Risk categorisation of introduced species. * Pre- and post-transfer quarantine and disease examination. * Health certification by a competent authority. * A minimum total time in quarantine for lower risk species. * A correspondingly longer time in quarantine with more stringent disease testing for higher risk species. * Secure quarantine facilities for holding aquatic animals during transfer. * Development of legislation on which to base quarantine * Compilation and maintenance of a regional disease database. * Training in diagnostic procedures for recognition of diseases in aquatic animals."

Introductions of aquatic animals to the Pacific Islands: Disease threats and guidelines for quarantine

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