Economic costs of protistan and metazoan parasites to global mariculture

Abstract

Parasites have a major impact on global finfish and shellfish aquaculture, having significant effects on farm production, sustainability and economic viability. Parasite infections and impacts can, according to pathogen and context, be considered to be either unpredictable/sporadic or predictable/regular. Although both types of infection may result in the loss of stock and incur costs associated with the control and management of infection, predictable infections can also lead to costs associated with prophylaxis and related activities. The estimation of the economic cost of a parasite event is frequently complicated by the complex interplay of numerous factors associated with a specific incident, which may range from direct production losses to downstream socio-economic impacts on livelihoods and satellite industries associated with the primary producer. In this study, we examine the world's major marine and brackish water aquaculture production industries and provide estimates of the potential economic costs attributable to a range of key parasite pathogens using 498 specific events for the purposes of illustration and estimation of costs. This study provides a baseline resource for risk assessment and the development of more robust biosecurity practices, which can in turn help mitigate against and/or minimise the potential impacts of parasite-mediated disease in aquaculture.

Evaluation of Non-destructive Molecular Diagnostics for the Detection of Neoparamoeba perurans

“…In cooler production areas, hydrogen peroxide is an effective treatment, but the treatment is recognized as having a narrow safety margin at higher temperatures (Adams et al, 2012) or where fish are compromised by advanced AGD (McCarthy et al, 2015). Some estimates have put the cost of AGD-related mortality between $12.55 million in Norway and $81 million in Scotland (Shinn et al, 2015).…”

Parasites in fisheries and mariculture

“…The problems associated with the international trade in marine fish for aquaculture, as well as the transmission of parasites between farmed and wild fish, are also discussed. The economic impact of parasites on global finfish and shellfish aquaculture is the subject of the review by Shinn et al (2014). These authors examine the world's major marine and brackish water aquaculture production industries and provide estimates of the potential economic costs attributable to a range of key parasite pathogens.…”

Development of quantitative PCR assay for detection of the trematode parasite Proctoeces maculatus in the blue mussel Mytilus edulis

“…Blue mussel aquaculture has been steadily increasing over the last 3 decades, with global production reaching 184 433 tons in 2014, translating to almost US $ 444 million in revenue (FAO 2014). P. maculatus has been recently included in a list of economically important parasites of blue mussels (Shinn et al 2015). Assuming fatality of mussels following infection by P. maculatus, Shinn et al (2015) calculated that at an average pre valence of 0.68% would have caused damages totaling US $ 1.07 million.…”

“…P. maculatus has been recently included in a list of economically important parasites of blue mussels (Shinn et al 2015). Assuming fatality of mussels following infection by P. maculatus, Shinn et al (2015) calculated that at an average pre valence of 0.68% would have caused damages totaling US $ 1.07 million. Even if infections are not fatal, P. macu latus can severely reduce salability of mussels due to the apparent 'orange sickness' and can reduce profit ability by negatively im pacting reproduction.…”