JOIN US'Policy must on diseases affecting fish'
Speaking at a training programme on ‘Biosecurity in aquaculture-aquamedicine’ organised jointly by the Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University and College of Fisheries here on Wednesday, he said there is a need to check spread of communicable diseases from fish to human beings or animals.
The disease diphyllobothriosis from fish is communicable to dogs. There are 10 to 14 pathogens from fish which are communicable to humanbeings.
The diagnostic lab should be strengthened by including a professional from fisheries sector to identify the diseases affecting fish. Veterinary doctors are competent enough to diognise animals.
Institute of Aquaculture, University of Sterling, Scotland, Professor of Aquatic Population Health and Welfare Dr James F Turnbull said there is a debate and conern over the presence of antibiotics in exported fish from India. European Union has srict legislation which denies all those marine products which has residue of antibodies.
The use of antibiotics are under control in aquaculture in many of the countries.
Fisheries College Dean Dr K M Shankar informed that with aquaculture contributing significantly to the total fish production in India and the great loss incurred to the aquaculture industry due to the microbial diseases, there is a need to carry out research in pharmacology and toxicology with rega rd to aquaculture. The Ministry of Agriculture will have to bring strict regulation on drugs used in aquaculture.
Hence, the National Agricultural Innovation Project (NAIP) -Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has been sponsoring the training programme where fisheries professionals and teachers from 15 fisheries colleges across the country will be given orientation on pharmacology and toxicology. The faculty members, who participate in the training sessions, will in turn introduce teaching and researches in the field of pharmacology in their institutes.
Pharmacology and toxicology will be included in the syllabus of the fishries programme in the country, so that in future fisheries graduates can prescribe drugs for aquatic animals.
‘Proposal to NFDB’
The Fisheries College has sent proposal to the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) on training pharmacology and toxicoloby for those students of Fisheries College who have passed out and are in the field. If they are given training, then they will be able to certify and prescribe medicines to fish, said Fisheries College Dean Dr K M Shankar.