Programs

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Florida Aquatic Animal Health Program (FLAAHP)

 

 

For information on this program please visit:

http://fishweb.ifas.ufl.edu/AquaticAnimalHealth/AquatAnimalHealth2.htm

 


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Spring Viremia of Carp virus (SVC)-Free Program

Spring viremia of carp (SVC) is a viral disease causing natural infections in common carp (Cyprinus carpio carpio) and koi carp (Cyprinus carpio koi), Crucian carp (Carassius carassius), sheatfish (also known as European catfish or wels) (Silurus glanis), silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis), grass carp (white amur) (Ctenopharyngodon idella), goldfish (Carassius auratus), orfe (Leuciscus idus), and tench (Tinca tinca). Currently SVC is considered a foreign animal disease in the United States and suspect and confirmed outbreaks should be reported to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services, Veterinary Services (USDA APHIS, VS), and the state veterinarian in the state where the affected animals are housed. Spring Viremia of carp is also listed by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) as a notifiable disease of fish.

In order to determine the prevalence of SVC in Florida produced koi and goldfish and to assist Florida koi and goldfish producers in achieving ‘SVC-free’ status, Craig Watson (UF Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory), Dr. Kathleen Hartman (USDA APHIS, VS), and Dr. Denise Petty (UF aquaculture extension veterinarian) secured funding from USDA CSREES in 2007. Participation in this project is voluntary. Two farms participated in 2007, and seven farms participated in 2008. The presence of an APHIS accredited veterinarian is required to oversee collection of 150 moribund or otherwise healthy koi and/or goldfish from each farm twice a year (for a total of 300 fish per year) for at least two consecutive years when water temperatures are in the optimum range for expression of clinical signs of SVC as well as for viral detection. In addition to submitting 300 fish per year, farms must have a protected water source and only buy SVC susceptible fish from a SVC-free source. Tissues from collected fish are submitted to a USDA approved diagnostic laboratory for SVC testing.

To date, all fish collected in Florida have tested negative for SVC via cell culture. Currently one farm in Florida has met the criteria to be considered SVC-free. Results for another farm are still pending. All other farms still have one more year of testing that will allow them to declare their farm as SVC-free. Upon establishing freedom from SVC producers will then have to maintain this status by continuing annual testing and maintaining appropriate biosecurity. The SVC-free status will allow these farmers to expand their koi and goldfish market to the European Union and other countries that require fish to be free of SVC. Funding for this program ends in 2009.

For more information visit: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/VM106


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Marine Mammal Program

Mission Statement:

The University of Florida Marine Mammal Program is a joint endeavor of the College of Veterinary Medicine and the Florida Marine Research Institute of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. This program was developed to promote the health and understanding of marine mammals in Florida.


In support of its mission, the Marine Mammal Program commits:

  • To educate veterinarians, veterinary medical students, and related professionals in the care of marine mammals.
  • To train graduate and post-doctoral students in research that addresses issues related to marine mammals.
  • To transfer information to personnel involved in the management and protection of marine mammals and provide a sound scientific basis for management decisions.
  • To provide outreach to the general public on topics of health and well-being of marine mammals and related environmental issues.
  • To promote research in the biology of marine mammals and to develop new technology and methods of understanding marine mammal health and well-being.
  • To provide a sound scientific basis for management decisions relating to marine mammals

 


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Stranding Response

To report a marine mammal in distress (dolphin, manatee, etc) please call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 1-888-404-FWCC (3922) or you can reach them on your marine radio on VHF Channel 16.

 

Animals such as whales, dolphins, manatees and sea turtles that are ill or injured may result in animals that are found on the beach or shoreline. These are usually referred to as being stranded if they are alive and beached if they are dead. These terms are most often used with whales and dolphins though the same may apply to sea turtles and manatees. People or organizations that wish to be involved in assisting with stranded whales and dolphins are permitted through NMFS. Classically these are volunteer individuals or groups that may include private organizations, oceanaria, universities, or municipalities. These activities are permitted through Letters of Authorization from the regional coordinators offices. There is a national coordinator and 5 regional coordinators that are responsible for overseeing and coordinating stranding activities as well as providing for training to stranding personnel.

The Order Cetacea is comprised of the whales, dolphins and porpoises and includes 78 different species. This group is broken up into two sub orders, the toothed whales (Odontoceti) and the baleen whales (Mysticeti). While the 67 species of toothed whales are more familiar to the general public from their exposure on television and marine parks the 11 species of baleen whales are just as fascinating much less is known. While man has observed and hunted many of these individuals and groups for thousands of years it is only for a short time that we have begun to appreciate their unique place in the fabric of marine life. As with any species they evolve and exist in a balance with the other marine species that comprise the marine ecosystem which some may refer to as the food chain.

While a comprehensive knowledge base of many these species would normally include their basic biology, physiology, anatomy, behavior, nutrition, reproduction, as well as morbidity and mortality factors it has been limited in scope in part because of their vast range of body sizes and special needs making it impossible to closely study many of the species in controlled environments. For the smaller cetaceans such as dolphins the history of their association with humans had also been deleterious and in some cases short sighted. Over time there has been the development of partnerships between federal and state agencies, private groups, oceanaria, media and the general public to better protect these species and to understand those factors that can contribute to their survival or influence their demise.

Legislation and Governance

In Florida, the responsibility for managing the marine resources which include marine mammals falls under two main umbrellas. The state agency involved in marine species is the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Their wildlife page is helpful in understanding their work which includes both land based and marine species. Their emphasis with marine mammals is centered on the Florida manatee and the Northern Right Whale but they also are involved in other stranded marine species such as whales and dolphins. In addition they are heavily invested in sea turtle management and research with very progressive programs that partner with sea turtle rehabilitation facilities, emphasize sea turtle nesting protection, and are involved in numerous research projects wit many outside research partners. The federal component for marine mammal protection is the Office of Protected Resources which is a NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) program falling under NMFS (National Marine Fisheries Service). These groups fall under the U.S. Department of Commerce.

In the United States it was recognized that the rate of loss of many marine mammal species would be unstoppable unless legislation was enacted to protect them. In 1969, congress enacted the Endangered Species Conservation Act. This was the early form of the Endangered Species Act and set the groundwork for later improvements in managing species that were likely to be lost without intervention. In 1972, congress placed a moratorium on the take of all marine mammals. Take is a catch all category to indicate any removal from the wild environment and includes capture, injury and killing of an individual. Also in 1972, congress established the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) which gave the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and its subgroup the National Marine Fisheries Service the authority for all cetaceans and pinnipeds except walrus. In 1973, the Endangered Species act (ESA) replaced the Endangered Species Conservation Act.

Another landmark improvement was made in 1992 when congress enacted Title IV of the MMPA which established the Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program. This legislation set up stranding response agreements between volunteer groups and the NMFS, Unusual Mortality Event response and funding (UME), guidelines for the collection of scientific data, establishment of release guidelines, establishment of a tissue bank, and establishment of the Prescott Grant Program that supports members of the stranding network with competitive grant funds to improve stranding capability and response. The OPR functions to conserve, protect and recover species under the ESA and the MMPA.

Cetaceans maintained on exhibit in public aquaria and zoos are under the care of veterinarians and caretakers but are also subject to the authority of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service (APHIS). Through the Animal Welfare Act standards of care have been established and regular inspections of facilities housing marine animals are carried out.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation commission may also regulate Florida wildlife that are indigenous to Florida waters with their own set of regulations concerning their housing and care. They carry out inspections of facilities and investigate concerns or complaints regarding their care.

As you can see marine mammals are restricted as to their ownership and care requirements which has led to the beginning of minimal standards of care that is constantly being updated.

Information on the University of Florida Aquatic Animal Health Program's role in stranding response is coming soon.

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