Safeguarding fish health for local fisheries
By : Donna Wong
Interest in fish and fish health has been growing over the last couple of years in Hong Kong because of concerns about food safety. CityU is playing a major role in this drive to safeguard health for aquaculture.
In fact, there have been calls to support the existing marine fish culture and environment. The government explicitly noted in its policy address in 2017 that greater support was crucial for developing the local fisheries industries.
CityU shares the same aims as the government in this endeavour. One notable project along these lines is a two-year research led by Professor Sophie St-Hilaire, Head of the Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health at the Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences.
Protecting fish health
The project “Improving Fish Health and Production in Hong Kong”, which works towards the long-term development of local aquaculture, has secured solid funding from the government. It received a HK$5 million fund from the Sustainable Fisheries Development Fund under the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD).
The primary focus is providing fish farmers and veterinarians with vital health-related information about their fish stocks through workshops and consultations held by Professor St-Hilaire’s team.
“Experts are invited to talk about specific topics such as water quality and pond management,” Professor St-Hilaire says. “We also run other health-related research projects funded through this grant on fish disease issues and fish disease control strategies.”
Modernising local fisheries industries
“The primary focus is providing fish farmers and veterinarians with vital health-related information about their fish stocks through workshops and consultations.”Professor St-Hilaire moved to Hong Kong to establish an aquatic veterinary programme at CityU that could address the fish health issues in the region. With the help of AFCD funding she has been able to create an ambulatory service to help Hong Kong fish farmers control and prevent disease outbreaks. The public service has grown over the last two years and now includes two part-time veterinarians and two fish health technicians who visit farms and assist farmers five days per week. The cost of the site visits is fully covered by the AFCD Sustainable Fisheries Development Fund. The team also gives workshops to farmers on an as-needed basis, and conducts applied field research to address current fish health concerns. Aquaculture research projects initiated through this programme in 2020 include 1) the assessment of mitigation strategies for poor water quality in fresh water ponds, 2) a disease outbreak investigation of mullet summer disease, and 3) a clinical trial for sea lice treatments on salt water net pens.
The response from fish farmers has been very positive. “Our clients are happy with our service. We are dedicated to helping them find sustainable solutions to increase profitability,” Professor St-Hilaire says.
Joint efforts for sustainable development
Professor St-Hilaire’s team works closely with the government to support the AFCD’s fish health inspection programme. When the AFCD refers a client in need of veterinary assistance for fish disease-related problems, her team promotes the AFCD’s free screening programmes for new fish stocks. In return, her team relies on the AFCD for screening for viral pathogens listed by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). Such efforts enhance productivity in the long run.
The aquatic ambulatory services also provide students on CityU’s Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (BVM) programme numerous opportunities to enhance their career prospects.
“This project offers students the chance to shadow fish veterinarians at local farms and help manage cases related to fish disease investigation and fish health management. A clinical rotation in fish medicine is scheduled for the final year of the BVM programme, beginning in 2023,” Professor St-Hilaire says.
Working with the government, CityU is dedicated to ensuring healthier fish and ultimately a more sustainable fish rearing environment.
