Details of Award
NERC Reference : NE/R008140/1
What are the risks of introduction and spread of exotic oomycete species via ornamental fish imports?
Training Grant Award
- Lead Supervisor:
- Professor P Van West, University of Aberdeen, Sch of Medicine, Medical Sci & Nutrition
- Grant held at:
- University of Aberdeen, Sch of Medicine, Medical Sci & Nutrition
- Science Area:
- Atmospheric
- Earth
- Freshwater
- Marine
- Terrestrial
- Overall Classification:
- Freshwater
- ENRIs:
- Biodiversity
- Environmental Risks and Hazards
- Global Change
- Natural Resource Management
- Pollution and Waste
- Science Topics:
- Animal diseases
- Conservation Ecology
- Environmental Microbiology
- Microbiology
- Microorganisms
- Abstract:
- Emerging diseases are a huge threat for our environment, the aquaculture industry and global food security. Currently,some of the most important aquatic disease-causing organisms in our natural ecosystems and fish farms are Saprolegnia parasitica, Aphanomyces invadans and other related oomycetes. This group of pathogens contains fungal-like organisms that are classified as Chromalveolates, and are phylogenetically related to brown algae and diatoms. Oomycetes can cause severe epizootics events and pandemics in amphibians, fish and crustaceans. At present A. invadans is found in Asia, Africa and parts of Australia and the USA, where it causes severe problems in natural environments and in fish farms. Unfortunately, in Germany, it has already been shown that A. invadans can be present in ornamental fish imported from Asia. Moreover it is highly likely that novel animal pathogenic oomycetes can be found in imported fish. Hence our hypothesis is that A. invadans and other novel oomycete species will be present in imported ornamental fish and could cause serious environmental problems in the UK. Clearly, there is an urgent need to prevent oomycete pathogens from entering our country in order to protect our natural environment and the fish farm industries. However at present we have not established the potential risks associated with importing ornamental fish. Therefore, our overall aim is to assess the level of risk of introduction and spread of exotic oomycete species via ornamental fish imports to wild fish populations and fish populations in fisheries. A strategic sampling approach will be followed to ensure collection of relevant samples from imported ornamental fish and from wild and fishery populations. Samples will be tested to assess the presence of novel and known oomycete pathogens. Oomycete specific PCR assays will be employed to detect potential pathogens and also pure culture isolates will be obtained from fish, the DNA extracted, the ITS sequenced and phylogenetically analysed. In case novel oomycetes species are isolated from ornamental fish, small scale challenge experiments on salmon eggs will be performed, initially, and only in case found to be pathogenic then also on trout. Based on the results obtained and taking into consideration import practices, imported fish quantities and practices of release of ornamental fish into the wild, the risk of introduction of exotic oomycete species and potential consequences will be evaluated and predictions for the potential long term impact will be made. Our findings will be immediately communicated to Defra through Cefas policy advisors and therefore directly feed into policy making. We will also consult environmental protection agencies (such as the Environment Agency and SEPA) to consider our findings.
- NERC Reference:
- NE/R008140/1
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- DTG - directed
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Industrial CASE
This training grant award has a total value of £93,881
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| Total - Other Costs | Total - Fees | Total - RTSG | Total - Student Stipend |
|---|---|---|---|
| £4,767 | £17,480 | £11,000 | £60,637 |
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