At the present time there are only 5 compounds approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in aquaculture species, and only 4 of these are commercially available (Table 1). These compounds are limited to use in approved species (usually catfish and salmonids) for specific indications (Table 1). In addition to FDA-approved products, certain products approved for use on aquatic sites by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have also been used in aquaculture. These products and approved uses have been summarized by Schnick et al. (1989). Rapid growth of aquaculture industries coupled with loss of commercial availability of several approved compound has resulted in a crisis on availability of aquaculture therapeutics (Meyers, 1989).

At the present time extra-label drug use is critical for meeting the therapeutic needs of many aquaculture industries. The Food Animal Residue Avoidance databank (FARAD) was developed to aid veterinary practitioners and producers in making responsible decisions concerning extra-label drug use in food animals. FARAD programs have been developed for the dairy, pork, and beef industries. These programs are presently being adapted for use by aquaculture industries.

The FARAD system consists of a computerized database which includes information on product name, active ingredient, manufacturer, registration number, approved species, indications, dose, route of administration and relevant pharmacokinetic data. Both FDA- and EPA-approved products are included in the FARAD database. FARAD has been used to gauge withdrawal times for extra label drug use in food animals. Aquatic food animals are ectothermic and consequently their metabolism is greatly influenced by environmental conditions. It is uncertain how accurate predictions of drug withholding times will be in aquaculture species.

Advantages of the FARAD system include development of a central repository of information on drugs, species, dosage, route of administration and pharmacokinetics.

This information can then be accessed by fish health professionals for development of Investigational New Animal Drug (INAD) applications and in addressing concerns such as crop-grouping. The information will also be useful in developing Quality Assurance plans for aquaculture species.

At the present time information on 313 scientific papers and 345 labels of EPA registered products have been entered into the FARAD aquaculture database. This information includes the 5 FDA approved products listed in Table 1 and all pesticides approved by EPA for use on aquatic sites. Although 345 products have been approved by EPA for use on aquatic sites, these products represent only 14 different active ingredients.

At the present time there are 3 regional access centers for FARAD assistance. They are located at the University of California at Davis (916 752-7507), the University of Illinois (717 333-6731), and the University of Florida (904 392-9085). Presently the University of Florida is the only location prepared to answer questions concerning aquaculture species. It is hoped the aquaculture FARAD program will be on line late in 1993 and the program will be distributed nationally through state aquaculture extension specialists and extension veterinarians.

References

1.  Meyers, F.P. 1989. Solutions to the shortage of approved fish therapeutants. Journal of Aquatic Animal Health 1:78-80.

2.  Schnick, R.A., Meyer, F.P., Gray, D.L. 1989. _ guide to approved chemicals in fish production and fishery resource management. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service, Little Rock, AR MP-241, 27 pp.