Methodology of fish disease surveys
Investigations on the disease status of fish populations can give important
information on the possible mortality effects of diseases, and the differentiation of
fish populations. In addition the potential of using diseases of marine organisms as a
tool for monitoring the biological effects of pollution has been discussed within various
ICES-bodies. In 1981 ICES recommended (Res. 1981/4:6) that as a first step in the
realisation of a possible monitoring tool of biological effects the member countries
should undertake observations on pathobiology in relation to the environment and
report the results annually.
Recent literature indicates that the discussion of the possible relationship
between diseases of marine fish and pollution is controversial. Much of the
controversy seems to have been due to shortcomings in the methodology used in
marine fish disease surveys. The Advisory Committee on Marine Pollution (ACMP)
therefore developed the idea of holding a seagoing workshop to bring together
scientists actively involved in the field of marine fish disease surveys to discuss the
problems. At the 1982 Statutory Meeting of ICES in Copenhagen an invitation from
the Federal Republic of Germany for a workshop on board the research vessel "Anton
Dohrn" in January 1984 was extended to ICES member countries. The invitation was
discussed in the Working Group on Pathology and Diseases of Marine Organisms
(WGPDMO) at its 1983 meeting in Lisbon and was gratefully accepted. It was decided
that the final aim of the workshop would be to produce a paper including proposals for
standardised methodologies which could be followed in forthcoming fish surveys.
History
Published under the auspices of the following ICES Steering Group or Committee
- ACOM