Seafood Revolution: How New Global Standards are Transforming Aquatic Animal Health
The health and welfare of fish, molluscs, crustaceans, and amphibians have long been overlooked in veterinary policies, despite aquatic animal products being among the fastest-growing and most-traded food sources globally. Recognizing the critical importance of aquatic animal health, the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) has been developing specific tools to preserve it since the 1960s.
As the world consumes more aquatic animal protein than ever before, fisheries and aquaculture production reached a record 223.2 million tonnes in 2022. This surge is largely attributed to the growth of aquaculture, especially in Asia. With an estimated 600 million people dependent on fisheries and aquaculture for their livelihoods, the sector plays a vital role in global food security and economic stability. Aquatic animal production is a key lever for livelihoods and food security worldwide, with a projected 14% growth by 2030.
The Seafood Revolution: Aquatic Animal Health at the Forefront
Aquaculture is expected to drive the increase in global seafood supply, rising from 154 million tonnes in 2011 to 186 million tonnes by 2030. Additionally, the EAT Lancet Commission recommended in 2019 a dietary shift towards more seafood consumption, reducing reliance on beef, poultry, pork, and eggs. This shift underscores the crucial role of the aquatic animal sector in addressing global challenges like climate change and food security.
For aquaculture to meet this growing demand without exacerbating environmental impacts or health risks, continuous improvements in production systems are necessary. Establishing international regulations and standards, including those on aquatic animal welfare, is pivotal to achieving sustainable growth. This is where WOAH’s work becomes essential.
Creating International Aquatic Animal Health Standards
In 1995, WOAH published the Aquatic Code, providing a comprehensive set of specific standards for aquatic animals, alongside the Manual of Diagnostic Tests for laboratories. These standards, based on the best available science, offer practical approaches to managing aquatic animal health.
To emphasize the importance of implementing these standards and to unite stakeholders in the aquatic sector, WOAH held the first Global Conference on Aquatic Animal Health in Bergen, Norway, in 2006. Subsequent conferences, such as the one in Santiago, Chile, in 2019, highlighted the need for global cooperation, improved disease reporting, and capacity-building to enforce these standards. At the Santiago conference, Dr. Alicia Gallardo Lagno, National Director of Sernapesca and current president of WOAH’s Aquatic Animals Commission, stressed the significance of regional collaboration, citing Chile’s experience with fish disease management in line with WOAH standards.
Advancing a Global Strategy for Aquatic Animal Health
WOAH launched its Aquatic Animal Health Strategy two years later during the 88th General Session. “It is the basis on which we will take action, in dialogue with our partners, to pursue our vision of improved aquatic animal health and welfare worldwide,” explained Dr. Monique Éloit, WOAH Director General. The strategy aims to address issues such as the lack of technical knowledge and trained staff to handle aquatic animal diseases, a problem Dr. Éloit encountered as Chief Veterinary Officer in her country.
The strategy’s four objectives are:
Development and update of scientifically sound standards to manage risks, facilitate safe trade, and improve aquatic animal health and welfare.
Capacity-building programs to strengthen Aquatic Animal Health Services.
Procedures, guidelines, and coordinated support to enhance the global response to emerging diseases.
Leadership in animal health and welfare to foster international partnerships and engage scientific and policy networks.
Improving Surveillance Systems with the Aquatic Animal Health Strategy
One of the strategy’s goals is to involve WOAH Members more actively by making standards easier to understand. Updated WOAH standards now better support the establishment of surveillance systems, helping countries gather information on aquatic animal diseases. This has improved countries’ ability to self-declare freedom from specific diseases and comply with the Aquatic Code’s requirements for disease reporting, early detection, and rapid response.
Through these efforts, WOAH aims to mitigate the spread of diseases and ensure the sustainability of the aquatic animal sector. By enhancing the regulation and welfare of aquatic animals, WOAH is paving the way for a healthier, more secure future for both humans and animals dependent on the vital resources provided by fisheries and aquaculture.
