April 10, 2013

Thailand

CP Foods Knows the Cause of EMS

CP Foods, the biggest shrimp farming company in Thailand, says it knows the cause of early mortality syndrome (EMS) and has found a way to prevent it.

CP Foods may show a loss of more than $27 million in the first quarter of 2013—an improvement over the massive loss of $69 (extraordinary items excluded) that it reported for the fourth quarter of 2012.  The primary cause of the losses is its shrimp farming and shrimp food business (accounting totaling for 12% of its total income), both of which have been hit hard by EMS.  Production from its shrimp farms and from other shrimp farms in Thailand has plunged as much as 30% from the same period last year.  The company expects an improving situation by the end of the second quarter of 2013.

Source: Seafood.com (an online, subscription-based, fisheries news service).  Editor and Publisher, John Sackton (phone 1-781-861-1441, email jsackton@seafood.com).  CPF Results Dragged Down by Shrimp Sector Problems, Primarily EMS.  Ken Coons (kencoons@seafood.com).  April 8, 2013.

"Laboratory tests were negative for HPR-0 and in the coming days we will check the sequencing of the strain," Mr Ansoleaga said.
In line with the Biosafety Protocol, the farm started a precautionery harvest on Friday.
Sernapesca has been present at the farm to oversee biosafety and disinfection and is now increasing its surveillance of nearby farms.
"In this case, Sernapesca controlled the entire production chain, from the source, to monitor the harvest of fish, to the processing plant located in Quellón Sernapesca with officials of the Aysen region and Lakes," said the Director.

The National Fisheries and Aquaculture Service (Sernapesca) confirmed the detection of an outbreak of infectious salmon anemia (ISA) in a farming centre of the Aysen region, so it was decided that a rigorous control procedure would start.
Sernapesca national director, Juan Luis Ansoleaga, stated that according to the protocols of the ISA Surveillance and Control Programme, they have been informed about "the detection of ISA signs in fish from a cage of the Garrao Centre located in the Group of Concessions No. 18D of the Aysen region" by the firm Los Fiordos.
After receiving this notification, Sernapesca immediately activated strict control and biosecurity measures.
"On Friday 5 [April] we took the corresponding samples, confirming the presence of ISA virus on Saturday, thus setting the condition of the outbreak," the official pointed out.
"Laboratory tests were negative for HPR-0 and in the coming days we will check the sequencing of the acting strain," the official added.
The Biosafety Protocol provides that, given the condition of ISA virus outbreak, it is suitable to implement it to the immediate harvest.
Last Friday, the salmon firm Los Fiordos resolved to begin the harvest in a precautionary manner, with the supervision of the staff from the Service.
Ansoleaga explained that the entire production chain was monitored, "controlling from the origin of the fish harvest in the farming centre to the processing plant located in Quellón, with Sernapesca officials from the Aysen and Los Lagos regions."
And on Saturday the landing was made at the plant when Sernapesca officials were there.
The next step is to verify the disinfection procedures of the facilities.
"In addition, Sernapesca activated a control preventive health campaign in neighbouring areas in Melinka, from Sunday 7, considering verification samples for ISA virus," Ansoleaga added.
Furthermore, he assured that monitoring will increase at the centre as well at all the others from the Group of Concessions No. 18D.
Finally, Ansoleaga recalled that the ISA virus is totally harmless to humans, and has an endemic presence in Chile "so isolated events are expected to occur in areas having the highest concentration of susceptible species from time to time."
Related article:
- 'Salmon farming health responsibilities should not be neglected,' warns Sernapesca
By Analia Murias

Spain
Pescanova requested a voluntary creditors' meeting "in order to preserve the business continuity" given the inability to reach an agreement in the short term during a special meeting lasting over 13 hours with creditor banks.

Viet Nam
The Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and the European Union is expected to open many doors for Vietnamese seafood to enter the EU, a market which consists of more than 500 million consumers.

Canada
Omega-3 fish oil may inhibit the growth of breast cancer by 30 per cent, according to a new study published by Canada's University of Guelph in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry.

PERKINSUS, OYSTER - MEXICO: (SONORA)

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A ProMED-mail post

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International Society for Infectious Diseases <http://www.isid.org>

Date: Fri 29 Mar 2013

Source: El Financiero [in Spanish, trans. Mod.PMB, edited] <http://www.elfinanciero.com.mx/component/content/article/44/9440.html>

The Mexican authority regulating fisheries (INAPESCA) reported that they are conducting studies to prevent the propagation of a pathogen of oysters in Sonora and Sinaloa states.

Ongoing research is underway assessing the impact of perkinsosis to avoid its proliferation, as it may affect the growth and maturation of mollusks, and even cause them to die. The upcoming study results will allow the protection and conservation of the native oyster, producing biosafety protocols that will enable the recovery the resource and the livelihoods that depend upon it. Oyster culture is of social and cultural importance in the region.

Preliminary results of the investigations carried out indicate that perkinsosis is present in [oyster producing] areas of Sonora and Sinaloa states. Specialists from the Scientific Research Center of Ensenada (Baja California) are collaborating with INAPESCA by analyzing samples from 6 coastal lagoons in Sinaloa and attempting to culture the pathogen to be able to carry out experimental studies.

The studies include measuring environmental parameters such as temperature, salinity, and oxygen levels of the mollusk habitat, and, among other things, they will try to identify the cause of mortality and likely inhibitors of the parasite.

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[_Perkinsus_ spp. are protozoans widespread in mollusks around the world. It is not clear what species is involved, but _Perkinsus marinus_ is the one prevalent in mollusks from the gulf of California.

_P. marinus_ is a prevalent pathogen of oysters, causing massive mortality in oyster populations. The disease it causes is known as "Dermo" (or "Perkinsosis").

A map of the affected area can be accessed at <http://healthmap.org/r/6aeT>. - Mod.PMB]

[The parasite is most prevalent on the East & Gulf coasts of the USA.

Life cycle diagram (zoom to improve legibility):

<http://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0022201112003084-fx1.jpg>

- Mod.JW]

[see also:

Perkinsus marinus, oyster - Brazil: (PB) OIE 20130208.1534850

2012

----

Perkinsus olseni, clam - French Polynesia: OIE 20121211.1446212

2000

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Perkinsus chesapeaki, clams - USA (Maryland) 20000605.0900] .................................................sb/pmb/msp/jw

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   JENNIFER CRAWLEY   |   April 03, 2013 12.01am

/AH/EDR> Chytrid fungus - Singapore: 1st report
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6:00 AM (2 hours ago)

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CHYTRID FUNGUS - SINGAPORE: FIRST REPORT
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A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases

Date: Sun 6 Mar 2012 [ProMED regrets the delay in posting]
Source: Sciencedaily.com [edited]

Deadly Fungus Detected in Southeast Asia's Amphibian Trade
-------------------------------------------------------
A team of scientists led by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)
and the National University of Singapore (NUS), revealed in a new
study, for the 1st time, the presence of the pathogenic chytrid fungus
(_Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis_) in amphibians sampled in Singapore.
And the American bullfrog may be a central player in the spread of the
disease.

The study appears in the current issue of the journal EcoHealth, and
is the 1st to consider the role that Southeast Asia's commercial trade
plays in the spread of amphibian pathogens. Demand for amphibians
through local and international trade is high and fueled by use of
frogs as pets, food, bait, and as a source of traditional 'medicine.'
More than 40 percent of amphibian species are in decline globally due,
not only to chytrid fungus, but also overharvesting, competition from
invasive species, habitat loss, pollution, and climate change.

In the study, scientists collected samples from 2389 individual
animals in Lao PDR, Cambodia, Viet Nam, and Singapore at 51 different
sites including farms, locally supplied markets, pet stores, and from
the wild.

The molecular testing of samples was led by Dr. Tracie Seimon at WCS's
Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory at the Bronx Zoo. Results showed that
frogs from Lao PDR and Viet Nam tested negative for chytrid. In
Cambodia, one frog intended for food tested positive. In addition, 74
animals in Cambodia and Viet Nam were screened for ranavirus and
tested negative, suggesting that these specific pathogens are not yet
a conservation threat in species tested from these countries. In
Singapore, however, 13 samples tested positive for chytrid and
represent the 1st report of chytrid in the territory. Of those
samples, 11 were collected from 4 pet stores and the remaining 2 were
taken from amphibians in the wild.

The scientists noted that the chytrid detections were most prevalent
in the American bullfrog (_Lithobates (=Rana) catesbeiana_), a common
species in the trade and one that is tolerant of chytrid infections.

"Finding chytrid in 4 of the 7 Singaporean pet stores we sampled is
cause for concern," said lead author and WCS Scientist Martin Gilbert.
"Since the American bullfrog is able to tolerate this pathogen, it may
act as a carrier for spreading chytrid to the region when it is
imported through commercial trade."

In another alarming discovery, the scientists found that all 497 frogs
sampled from 23 frog farms in Viet Nam had skin lesions ranging from
swelling and inflammation to ulcers and deformed or missing digits in
the most severe cases. Disease examination revealed 4 of the animals
had bacteria associated with the lesions that in 2 cases appeared to
have spread to other organs.

While the bacteria and its role as primary or secondary pathogen could
not be positively identified, the scientists noted that frog farms
could serve as a source of infection for the wider environment.

The study noted that lesions among frogs raised at commercial
facilities in Viet Nam are of particular concern, in light of the low
level of bio-security that exists. All of the farms in the study
disposed of untreated wastewater directly into natural watercourses,
which becomes an avenue to spread infection to other places and other
species.

According to the authors, the World Organization for Animal Health
(OIE) requires its 174 member countries, which include the 4 countries
in this study, to conduct surveillance for chytrid fungus, report
confirmed cases, and implement measures to control its spread.

Co-author of the study, Assistant Professor David Bickford from the
Department of Biological Sciences at the NUS [National University of
Singapore] Faculty of Science, said, "In light of the fact that this
emerging infectious disease is now known to be spread by commercial
trade, it is in everyone's best interest to eliminate it from the
trade in live animals before both the native amphibian populations of
Southeast Asia are affected and before it completely decimates the
commercial trade and people are unable to make a living. This is not
just about the frogs."

The paper concludes, "There is an urgent need to conduct wider surveys
of wild amphibians in Southeast Asia to determine the extent and
severity of chytrid fungus and other infectious diseases among a range
of species, and whether and how these change over time. Studies should
focus on differentiating _Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis_ strains that
may be endemic to the region from exotic strains that may be
introduced through routes including international trade."

Authors of the study include Martin Gilbert of WCS; David Bickford of
NUS; Leanne Clark, Arlyne Johnson, Priscilla H. Joyner, Lucy Ogg
Keatts, Kongsy Khammavong, Long Nguyen Van, Alisa Newton of WCS;
Tiffany P. W. Seow of NUS; Scott Roberton, Soubanh Silithammavong of
WCS; Sinpakhone Singhalath of the National University of Laos; Angela
Yang, and Tracie A. Seimon of WCS.

[Byline: Rick Steelhammer]

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Hematodinium infections in cultured Chinese swimming crab,

Portunus trituberculatus, in northern China

Caiwen Li a, Shuqun Song a, Yun Liu a, Tiantian Chen a,b

a Key Lab of Marine Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China

b College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266061, China

a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t

Article history:

Received 28 January 2013

Received in revised form 18 February 2013

Accepted 18 February 2013

Available online 1 March 2013

Keywords:

Parasitic dinoflagellate

Crab

Aquaculture

Transmission

Life cycle

Phylogenetic analysis

Since 2004, the parasitic dinoflagellates Hematodinium emerged as causative agent of the “milky blood disease”

in cultured Portunus trituberculatus, Scylla serrata and Exopalaemon carinicauda along the coastal

areas of southern China; while, no Hematodinium infections had been reported in northern China. We sampled

P. trituberculatus in polyculture ponds and adjacent coastal waters from two sites in Shandong Peninsula,

the major culture region in northern China which contributes to one third of the national gross outcome of

the crab species. Hematodinium infections were identified in 10% of P. trituberculatus randomly sampled

from polyculture ponds, while no infections were observed in wild crabs collected from adjacent coastal waters.

Filamentous trophonts and amoeboid trophonts were observed in diseased crabs. The Hematodinium sp.

shares similar morphologic features and causes typical pathological changes in hepatopancreas, heart, and

muscles of infected hosts as other Hematodinium spp. The laboratory trials indicated that this parasite was

infectious and caused pathological alterations to crab hosts as those diseased crabs from culture ponds.

Molecular analysis indicated that the isolates were closely related to those reported in southern China. Our

findings indicate an alarming broad distribution of the infectious pathogen along the coastal areas of China.

The polyculture pond system widely used in major culture regions in China may prompt transmission or

spread of Hematodinium among susceptible hosts, which urges pressing investigation of its major routes of

transmission in such culture system along with better understanding of its life cycle.

© 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Southern suburbs residents have reported the small fish, about two inches in length, across long stretches of sand at Moana, Moana South, O'Sullivans Beach and Christies Beach.

Biosecurity SA is investigating the cause of the deaths but the incident is likely to have been caused by heat.

Seaford Rise resident Phyl Gava said the stretch of beach affected runs from Moana to Maslin Beach.

It's not known why scores of fish have ended up dead on Adelaide's southern beaches.

"They range in size from about an inch to about two inches but there's a lot of them," she said.Ms Gava, who has been walking the beach for over 17 years, said she has never seen anything like this.

Biosecurity SA said the cause of the death is likely to be heat, as was the case with similar incidents on the Eyre Peninsula earlier this month.

Dead fish litter the foreshore at Moana Beach. Picture: Roger Wyman

Spokesman Ken Pearce said many of the fish, mainly leatherjackets, are already partially decomposed.

"These might have actually died on the other side of the gulf and they've been pushed ashore by the weather," he said.

"All the pieces just fit together too well for any other explanation."

A close-up of the dead fish along the foreshore at Moana Beach. Picture: Roger Wyman

Biosecurity SA investigated similar occurrences at Port Neill and Dutton Bay on the Eyre Peninsula earlier in March.

"We did some sampling and we had some testing and analysis done of the dead fish that were found in the Port Niell area," Mr Pearce said.

"There was nothing that indicated that it was a disease of any sort.

"The general supposition as a result of that was that they'd been affected by an increase in the water temperature in the shallows and were not capable of coping with that."

Meanwhile, over in Chile thousands of stranded prawns have blanketed a three-kilometre stretch of beach in the Coronel area, 500km south of Santiago.

March 17, 2013

LMBV found in Pocomoke River bass

Pocomoke, MD, USA—Largemouth Bass Virus has been found in several waterways across the state, but prior to this year, the virus had never been documented in the Pocomoke River. In a recently released report, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced that of 10 bass sampled from the Pocomoke River, six tested positive for the virus.

“We hadn’t tested for it yet in the Pocomoke River, so over the past year we took some samples, and six of the 10 individual fish we sampled had Largemouth Bass Virus (LMBV),” said Joseph Love, the tidal bass manager for Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources. “It’s not the first time we have found it in Maryland. But we are trying to report it as we sample rivers and determine its occurrence, its frequency and how many individuals in our sample have it.”

Love said his department has found LMBV in the Potomac River, as well as the Patuxent, the Susquehanna, the Northeast and the Choptank rivers. It has also observed fish with the disease in other reservoirs around the state.

“It is not an uncommon virus, and it can be transmitted by many species of fish,” Love said. “It’s a waterborne virus, so it can just exist in the water. It’s a pretty tough organism.”

Anglers might suspect a fish has LMBV because it causes the bass to swim ... … .

See the source (http://tinyurl.com/amejjvk) for the full story.

[LMBV has been identified to be in Chesapeake Bay for some time.  See http://dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/bass/docs/largemouth_bass_virus.pdf, or http://dnr.maryland.gov/dnrnews/pressrelease2010/111510.asp for a 2010 Maryland DNR alert.  ADS-Mod.]