Abstract

Aquaculture is the fastest growing food production industry in the world. The value of this industry increases by 25% every year. The worldwide aquaculture industry produced approximately 21 million metric tomes of product in 1996. This industry is vitally important to the economic success of the Atlantic provinces of Canada. The regional aquaculture industry in Eastern Canada harvests approximately 740,000 tonnes of cultured seafood annually. As this industry develops, the need for a supporting regional health movement organization becomes essential. The Atlantic Veterinary College, at the University of Prince Edward Island, is a prime model for such an organization.

The Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC) represents a successful collaborative effort between the aquaculture industry, technology, and veterinary medicine. The veterinary college supports the advancement of aquaculture through education, research and applied population medicine. AVC utilizes a multidisciplinary approach through the Fish Health Lobster Health Research Centre, Atlantic Fish Health Incorporated and The Canadian Aquaculture Institute to address the needs of regional producers.

The clinical faculty of the Fish Health Unit provides health management consultation and diagnostic services to finfish producers in Atlantic Canada. The lobster health Research Centre actively increases the knowledge base in lobster health through basic and applied research and specialized training for veterinarians. The overall objective of the Centre is to apply principles of veterinary medicine to crustacean fisheries an crustacean fisheries and aquaculture, ensuring long-term survivability and prosperity. Atlantic Fish Health Inc. was developed to respond to the contract research needs of pharmaceutical, biotechnology and feed companies that support the aquaculture industry. The Canadian Aquaculture Institute (CAI) has developed multiple worldwide training courses to provide continuing education to practicing veterinarians and industry experts. The goal of the Atlantic Veterinary College is to improve the health and welfare of aquatic species, protect the aquatic environment and promote the economic success of the aquaculture industry.

Acknowledgements

Financial assistance for this project was provided in part by The AVC Fish Health Unit. The authors wish to Dr. Larry Hammell for his guidance and support.

References

1.  Funding Proposal to the Max Bell Foundation for the Establishment of a Lobster Health Research Centre, March 1996. Richard Cawthorn.

2.  AVC Strategic Directions in Aquaculture, Sept. 10, 1996. Larry Hammell and Ian Dohoo.

3.  Atlantic Fish Health Incorporated Summary of Interactions and Research, 1996. J. Gerald Arsenault.

4.  Canadian Aquaculture Institute Continuing Education and Course Itinerary, 1996. Robert Preston Johnson.