Fish health status, research and management in East Africa: past and present
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Date
2012
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
African Journal of Aquatic Science
Abstract
This paper reviews the state of research on fish pathogens in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda from
the early 1900s, the period when fisheries management started in the region, to date, and evaluates the current
policy, regulatory frameworks, management practices and frameworks for addressing fish health issues in East
African Community countries. Host pathogens and their distributions are listed. To date, fish health research
has focused on the occurrence and taxonomy of parasites mainly in wild hosts. Very limited research output
and knowledge exist on bacterial, viral and fungal disease agents and on fish culture systems, as well as on
parasites’ life cycles and/or vectors, epidemiology, pathogenicity, prevention and control. The current fish disease
control and preventive strategies and diagnostic facilities are basic and non-specific. Although the five countries
have legislation for the management of fisheries that clearly mention the restriction of movement of fish and fish
products, they lack comprehensive policy and regulatory provisions to ensure an appreciable level of disease
prevention and control. With the intensifying fish farming in the region, the research gaps in fish pathology, the
potential impacts of the pathogens and the lack of appropriate management framework for fish diseases highlight
the need to strengthen aquatic biosecurity.
Description
Keywords
Aquaculture, Aquatic health management, Disease, East African Community
Citation
P Akoll & WW Mwanja (2012): Fish health status, research and management in East Africa: past and present, African Journal of Aquatic Science, 37:2, 117-129. http://dx.doi.org/10.2989/16085914.2012.694628