Reducing fish losses due to Epizootic Ulcerative Syndrome

Summary

ACIAR project no 9130 established causes and control measures for epizootic ulcerative syndrome, a major killer of wild and cultured fish. The project cost $1.7 million dollars and, based on conservative assumptions, could yield net benefits (in present value terms) of $56 million. These significant benefits are a result of the importance of fish production in Australia, Indonesia and Thailand, both as a commercial crop and a source of subsistence income.
These benefits are based on the assumption that the knowledge obtained from the project is actually adopted by fish producers and others. There is no guarantee of this, and the results should be interpreted in that light. This also suggests that ACIAR could achieve high leverage from funds devoted to increasing rates of adoption.
2. The Project ACIAR project no. 9130, Improving Fish Production in Freshwater Aquaculture and in Estuaries by Reducing Losses due to Epizootic Ulcerative Syndrome, commenced in 1993, was completed by 1996 and subsequently extended, reflecting the recommendations of the review committee. The project combined a number of research streams and involved a multi-disciplinary team. It included research in epidemiology (the study of disease transmission), mycology (the study of fungi), pathogenesis (the study of disease development), ecology, and soil and water chemistry. The project also included training and extension activities.