Exploring knowledge, perception of risk and biosecurity practices among researchers in the UK: a quantitative survey

Accidental introduction and/or spread of Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) can result from a range of activities including agriculture, transport, trade and recreation. Researchers represent an important group of stakeholders who undertake activities in the field that could potentially facilitate the spread of INNS. Biosecurity is key to preventing the introduction and spread of INNS. Risk perceptions are a fundamental component in determining behaviour, so understanding how researchers perceive the risks associated with their activities can help us understand some of the drivers of biosecurity behaviour in the field. The aim of this study was to investigate researchers’ perceptions of risk in relation to their field activities and whether risk perceptions influenced behaviour. We gathered quantitative data on perceptions of risk and biosecurity practices using an online questionnaire. Only 35% of all respondents considered their field activities to pose some risk in terms of spreading INNS. Higher risk perception was found in those who undertook high risk activities or where INNS were known/expected to be present. However, whilst respondents with experience of INNS were more likely to report consciously employing biosecurity in the field, this did not translate into better actual biosecurity practices. Awareness of biosecurity campaigns did in fact increase perception of risk, perceived and actual biosecurity behaviour. However, there remains a disconnect between reported and actual biosecurity practices, including a lack of understanding about what constitutes good biosecurity practice. These findings should be used to improve targeted awareness raising campaigns and help create directed training on biosecurity practices

[np] Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VA USA

In the autumn of 2001, a self-administered mailed questionnaire was sent to fin fish recirculation facilities in the United States and Canada to examine the extent of biosecurity currently practiced in this sector of aquaculture. This paper describes the results of this survey (86% response rate). It indicates the range of species now being grown in this technology, the most prominent species in production, the various sizes of re-circulation facilities (production volume and fish produced), water sources utilized and the various objectives for the fish culture activity (endpoint of product). In addition, the paper describes what facility managers perceive to be the most effective biosecurity measures, what are the compelling reasons for using biosecurity at their facility and which measures are considered not practical. The results also indicate the avenues of communication which facility managers find most effective, and therefore utilize the most, when seeking information about biosecurity. The information gained from this research is an important first step in the development of effective management systems and training programs to promote, establish and foster the sustained use of biosecurity practices in aquaculture

Aquaculture 242 1-4 165 179

This paper provides the first empirical characterization of biosecurity utilization in finfish aquaculture. In fall 2001, a questionnaire survey was mailed to managers of finfish-rearing recirculation facilities in the United States and Canada to obtain baseline data on the frequency of use of 11 different biosecurity measures. The response rate to the survey was 86%. Of the 139 respondents, 71% were from the United States (n=93) and 29% were from Canada (n=38).Our data show that biosecurity utilization is not homogenous within the finfish recirculation sector of the United States and Canada. Overall, inexpensive and low-tech biosecurity practices were utilized the most. The most frequently practiced biosecurity measures were record-keeping (94%) and dead fish collection (93%). Present use of vaccines (17%) was less than past use of vaccines (30%). Sixty-six percent of facilities reported prophylactic use of chemicals on fish while 81% reported therapeutic use (chemical treatments included the use of salt). Quarantine procedures on incoming fish and/or eggs were commonly employed in recirculation facilities, with use of an isolation area occurring more frequently (83%) than use of an isolated water supply (66%). Seventy-five percent of surveyed facilities have employed the services of a fish health specialist with the majority of facilities using a specialist in the previous 8 months.Biosecurity practices were found to be statistically related (P<0.05) to primary water source, type of fish grown, purpose of the operation and country of operation. Within the recirculation sector, biosecurity utilization was most prevalent at facilities growing Atlantic salmon. Site manager's age and level of education did not show any statistical correlation with biosecurity utilization. The number of years of work experience the manager had in aquaculture was found to be significantly associated with present vaccine use (P=0.011), past vaccine use (P=0.005) and use of fish health specialists (P=0.013).The study lays the foundation for further research on biosecurity utilization in aquaculture and provides insight into factors that influence frequency of use of biosecurity. The findings of this study provide an important first step in improving biosecurity use given that the development of effective remedial and intervention strategies require a valid assessment of the current situation

Journal of Aquatic Animal Health 17 2 153 159 Bethesda, USA: American Fisheries Society.

In recirculation finfish facilities in the United States and Canada, biosecurity utilization is neither consistent nor uniform. Seeking reasons for this situation, we examined the beliefs, perceptions, and attitudes of managers and owners of such facilities about fish disease and biosecurity utilization. A questionnaire was mailed in the fall of 2001 to the managers and owners of 152 finfish-rearing recirculation facilities in the United States and Canada to gather information on their attitudes, beliefs, and perceptions regarding fish disease and biosecurity. The response rate to the survey was 86%. This paper reports on a subset of the overall responses, the responses of managers and owners who identified their facility as a business operation. Although respondents had a positive attitude towards biosecurity utilization, they had different beliefs about which disease types were of greatest concern for their farm. Respondents also had differing perceptions on the risk of disease transmission associated with different activities on their farms. In addition, respondents had various beliefs about the practicality and effectiveness of different biosecurity measures and why the practice of biosecurity was important to their farms. This study gives quantitative evidence that different fish farmers perceive disease and the practice of biosecurity differently. This study indicates that recognition of the human dimensions element is an important first step in the creation of biosecurity policies, strategies, and procedures that will be readily accepted and implemented and consistently applied by fish farmers on their farms. The findings challenge the heretofore traditionally accepted belief that poor biosecurity practice on a farm is primarily related to lack of knowledge about biosecurity.

Brood‐stock management and early hatchery rearing of Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus (Linnaeus))

Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus (Linnaeus)) is a stenothermic cold‐water fish, which has been cultured in Northern Europe and North America since the 1980s. The industry has remained relatively small with an annual production between 6000 and 10 000 tonnes, and is still challenged by an unreliable offspring production. This review focuses on offspring production in Arctic charr aquaculture including holding conditions for brood‐stock, fertilisation and egg rearing until hatch. Brood‐stock requires low temperatures during summer (<12°C) with the optimum still unknown. The temperature maximum for egg incubation lies between 6 and 8°C. The composition of an optimal brood‐stock diet is debated regarding fatty acids. A demand for a freshwater‐based diet rich in omega‐6 fatty acids is indicated, but results remain inconclusive. Extensive knowledge has been gained on the timing of spawning and its manipulation through photoperiod, temperature and hormone treatments; spawning can be induced by short‐day photoperiod; and temperature drops to 5°C. Eggs are fertilised dry in ovarian fluid. Egg quality is highly variable and positively related to egg size and energy density. Contrary, little information is available on sperm quality and its impact on egg survival. There may also be profound differences between Arctic charr of stationary or anadromous origin regarding requirements for holding conditions of brood‐stock and their diet. However, these differences have received little attention, and direct comparative studies are in demand