RESEARCH - Research Summary

Research Summary

Infectious diseases have become a primary constraint to the growth and sustainability of mollusc aquaculture. They affect both volume and value of the production by causing abnormal mortality, reducing physiological performances of stocks, depreciating the quality of products and limiting access to markets. Health management is a corner stone of productivity and profitability of the sector. The effective control of mollusc diseases requires access to diagnostic tests that are rapid, reliable, specific, sensitive and cost effective. Microscopy is the baseline of mollusc diseases diagnostic but many pathogens are difficult to detect and recognise. The first objective of the project is to network expertise in histology and diagnostic based on internet and real time communication technologies. Efforts to overcome diagnostic problems have led to the development of molecular methods. A major challenge, however, remains in routine monitoring and large-scale screening to assess the health status of mollusc stocks. The second objective of the project is to demonstrate the significant potential of recent innovations for rapid serial analysis of samples coupled with molecular analysis for diagnostics. The overall goal of this study is to explore frontiers of mollusc diseases diagnosis to develop a unique and dynamic diagnostic platform in Canada. This platform will be based on existing expertise and will build on future instruments for improved health management in mollusc aquaculture in support to this economically significant sector.

Network Investigators

Dr. Frank Berthe, Canada Research Chair in Aquatic Health Science Mollusc Health, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, PEI
Dr. Dave Groman, Section Head, Aquatic Diagnostic Services, AVC, UPEI, Charlottetown, PEI

Project Partners

Dr. Jeffrey Davidson, Associate Professor, AVC, UPEI, Charlottetown, PEI,
Dr. Phil Byrne, Section Head, Center for Animal and Plant Health, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Charlottetown, PEI
Ms. Mary Stephenson, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, GFC, Moncton, NB
Dr. Susan Bower, Pacific Biological Station Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Nanaimo, BC
Dr. Ken McColl, CSIRO-AAHL, Victoria, Australia
Dr. Serge Corbeil, CSIRO-AAHL, Victoria, Australia
Dr. Isabelle Arzul, IFREMER, Laboratoire de Génétique et Pathologie, La Tremblade, France
Dr. Céline Garcia, IFREMER, Laboratoire de Génétique et Pathologie, BP 133, 17390 La Tremblade, France