Bridging knowledge gaps in fish health management through education, research, and biosecurity

Education, research, and biosecurity have global recognition as strong pillars of sustainable aquaculture development. In many developing countries, insufficient knowledge and awareness among stakeholders regarding the relevance of education, research, and biosecurity have influenced aquaculture sustainability negatively. To uncover the gaps in education, research, and biosecurity practices in aquatic animal health management, we conducted a questionnaire-based study in various East and West African countries. By adopting the methodology of self-reporting data, we invited a significant number of individuals to participate in the study. In the end, 88 respondents contributed, with the majority from Ghana (47) and Kenya (20), and 21 respondents from five other East and West African nations. The results revealed substantial educational gaps, including the need for practical training in aquatic animal health management, nutrition, and genetics. Respondents also emphasized the importance of creating additional national aquaculture research institutions and augmented funding to enable them to address industry needs. Governments of the represented nations should actively intervene by providing the essential logistics and capacity to support aquaculture research and development. Informed government involvement is paramount for bridging the disconnection among all stakeholders, as revealed in the results. Furthermore, the lack of biosecurity measures and the understanding of the importance of biosecurity measures in the industry addressed through awareness creation. Creating awareness on biosecurity underpinned with national aquaculture biosecurity policies can prevent disease incidences in the industry. The outcomes of this study can serve as a vital working document to enhance aquatic animal health management in East and West Africa, thereby fostering sustainable and resilient aquaculture

Understanding tilapia mortalities and fish health management in Lake Volta: a systematic approach

Unusual fish mortalities in aquaculture threaten global food security and carry significant socio-economic burdens. In 2018, Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) suffered unusual patterns of mortalities, attributed to disease-causing agents in Lake Volta cage aquaculture. In recent times, disease investigations have shifted from single to consideration of multiple factors to understand the puzzling range of causal risk factors. This study therefore aimed at expanding on tilapia mortality risk factors, while documenting fish health and Lake Volta management practices for sustainable aquaculture. We interviewed relevant aquaculture stakeholders operating on Lake Volta and conducted thematic analysis on their responses to map out mortality risk factors and management practices. The identified risk factors were conceptualized in established models of causation web and Social-Ecological System to explain the practical significance of the findings. The results showed that the risk factors of tilapia mortalities are a combination of pathogens and non-infectious factors mediated by weak law enforcement. The results further suggested mortality reinforcing mechanisms through the horizontal transmission of pathogens, namely, Streptococcus agalactiae and Infectious Spleen and Kidney Necrosis Virus. Moreover, the recognition of weak enforcement as a possible factor reinforcing human activities is a non-infectious route that can be deleterious to fish health. Health management practices comprised phytotherapy, vaccination, heat shock treatment, biological controls, and best husbandry practices. Lake management involves creating a waterfront buffer of 85.34 m, surveillance, and executing the framework guiding aquaculture development on the Lake. The findings are suggestive of complementary quantitative studies that augment the qualitative evidence herein. Such follow up studies can disclose precise mortality risk factors to inform policy directives and effective remedial strategies that can secure fish and lake health