The problem

Many cultivated species of fish and shellfish are vulnerable to infection by parasites and disease carried by wild organisms. Similarly, cultivated stocks can act as a reservoir for parasites and disease that may infect wild stocks. We need to increase our knowledge and understanding of the transfer of pathogenic organisms between wild and cultivated stocks as a precursor to safeguarding the aquatic environment, as well as the health and economic value of the farmed and wild stocks.

Overview

The principal objective of DIPNET is to increase scientific knowledge of the potential transfer of pathogens and diseases between wild and cultivated fish and shellfish populations. The project is organised in four work packages:

• Literature review of disease interactions and pathogen exchange
• Risk assessments and modelling of aquatic animal health
• Review of methods for fish disease epidemiology and surveillance
• Network building and knowledge dissemination. 

Contribution to policy development

• DIPNET will strengthen the scientific basis upon which policy decisions are taken to safeguard the aquatic environment from infections originating from aquaculture establishments, and vice versa
• It will contribute to the broader policy remit for protecting the aquatic environment
• It will help reduce the financial risks in the aquaculture industry

Project deliverables

• Review of current fish and shellfish disease monitoring and surveillance activities in Europe – November 2005
• Review of risk assessments and disease modelling in aquatic animal health – May 2006
• Final collection of newsletters and training materials – November 2006
• Final project report and financial report – December 2006

Dissemination

• Project website – December 2004
• Leaflet describing the project aims, objectives, participants and programme – July 2004
• Internet ‘mail-group’ services and email newsletters – ongoing
• Project results to be submitted for publication in scientific journals and the trade press – December 2006

Technical information

Project acronym: DIPNET
Project’s official full title: Disease Interactions and Pathogen exchange NETwork
Research priority: 1.3 Modernisation and sustainability of fisheries, including aquaculture-based production systems
Specific webpage: Details not yet available
Proposal/contract no: 006598
Start date: 1 October 2004
Kick off meeting: February 2005
Completion date: October 2006
European Commission scientific officer: Jacques Fuchs (jacques.fuchs@ec.europa.eu)

Coordinator:
Name: Dr Laurence Miossec (Laurence.Miossec@ifremer.fr),
Institut Français de la Recherche pour l’Exploitation de la Mer
Abbreviated name: IFREMER
Address: Laboratoire de Génétique et Pathologie
Ronce-les-Bains
BP 133
17390 La Tremblade
Country: France
Tel: 33 (0)5 46 36 98 36
Fax: 33 (0)5 46 36 37 51
Website: www.ifremer.fr

Consortium members

Name: Centre for Veterinary Contract and Commercial Services
Abbreviated name: VESO
Country: Norway

Name: Fisheries Research Services
Abbreviated name: FRS
Country: United Kingdom

Name: Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science
Abbreviated name: CEFAS
Country: United Kingdom

Name: University of Zaragoza
Abbreviated name:UZ
Country: Spain

Partners

Name: Hellenic Center for Marine Research
Abbreviated name: HCMR
Country: Greece

Name: National Veterinary Institute
Abbreviated name: NVI
Country: Norway

Name: Université de Bretagne Occidentale
Abbreviated name: UBO
Country: France

Name: Universität Bern, Zentrum Fish und Wildtiermedizin
Abbreviated name: FIWI
Country: Switzerland

Name: Norwegian Council for Biodiversity
Abbreviated name:SABIMA
Country: Norway

Name: Danish Institute of Fisheries Research
Abbreviated name: DIFRES
Country: Denmark

Name: Federation of European Aquaculture Producers
Abbreviated name: FEAP
Country: Belgium

Name: Norwegian Institute for Nature Research
Abbreviated name: NINA
Country: Norway