About the Fish Health Section

The Fish Health Section was established jointly by the Department of Fisheries in 1989 and is located at the Department of Agriculture. Currently the section employs a Senior Fish Pathologist and two Technical Officers.

Mission and Responsibilities

To provide specialist advice and laboratory services on behalf of the Department of Fisheries to the pearling and aquaculture industries on diseases of fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Diagnosis

• Provide export, inter- and intra-state translocation testing and certification where there is a special requirement. Act as a referral laboratory in relation to suspected outbreaks of endemic and exotic diseases.
• Develop improved diagnostic techniques for specific fish and shellfish diseases.

Policy Advice

• Provide advice to the Department of Fisheries in the development and review of policy guidelines and regulations as they relate to fish health, stock movements and quarantine requirements.

Research and Development

• Identify disease-causing organisms affecting aquaculture species in Western Australia. Identify latent infections and disease carrying organisms in species of relevance to aquaculture in Western Australia. Elucidate life-history parameters of disease organisms in species of significance to aquaculture in Western Australia.
• Collaborate with other research providers and industry in research on fish diseases deemed important by industry.

Extension and Training

• Improve industry and public awareness of the benefits of good fish health practices through contributions to extension and training activities in aquaculture.

Service and Fees

A diagnostic service is available to Aquaculturists when health problems requiring laboratory assistance arise. Fees are charged for this service, although they may be reduced in instances of exceptional importance to the State or industry as in other livestock industries.

How to Request Services and Send Samples

Quick action is usually required to diagnose and control fish diseases. Aquaculturists should telephone or fax the Fish Health Section as soon as a disease problem arises. Certain cases can be solved by discussion alone. In many cases it will be desirable to have a veterinary practitioner visit the farm; several Western Australian veterinarians have specialist fish health training. Should specimens be required for laboratory diagnosis, the methods of sampling and shipment will be advised. The types of specimens required are, in decreasing order of preference:

1. Live sick specimens in plastic bags filled one-third with water and two-thirds with air or oxygen if possible, to be delivered within 12 hours Very fresh dead or recently filled fish in separate clean plastic bags on ice or cooler bricks in a small foam "esky", to be delivered within 24 hours Frozen whole fish specimens, on ice as above
2. Small fish, with abdomen slit open, placed in 10% formalin or in methylated spirits in an emergency, plus chilled or frozen specimens if possible.