Speaking from my experience as practitioner of aquatic animal medicine in the southeastern U.S.A., I can state that such practices involving aquatic animals are becoming more sophisticated, especially in the past few years, and involve a greater variety of animals.

I think when you become involved in aquatic animal medicine, one of your highest priorities is acquiring good personnel (e.g., personnel adept at handling the animals, familiar with the normal state, and who, through keen observation, can greatly assist in diagnosis of medical problems). The training of personnel is now accomplished mainly in-house at a considerable expense. Hopefully, in the future training institutions can assist in this education.

The number one goal in medicine should be the extension of the life expectancy of an animal. This can be accomplished in marine parks by control of the environment in which the animal lives. Water quality, nutrition, vaccinations and medical prophylaxis are all necessary tools in the prevention of animal disease.

Prevention of disease starts with the arrival of a newly acquired animal. Isolation is necessary, not only for its health, but for the health of the existing collection. This procedure is necessary for all groups of animals, be they fish or mammals. Periodic examination, involving both external and internal parameters, is an important part of disease prevention. Finally, post mortem of every expired animal provides needed learning experience that can be applied to future situations.

Successful treatment of disease starts with diagnosis of the problem. This is greatly helped through the adequate observation by well-trained personnel. If restraint is required, the properly designed and handled equipment is a must. Clinical pathological analysis, whether in house or outside, needs to be both accurate and rapid as aquatic animals have a tendency to "sink" quickly. Adequate and extensive nursing of the animal is one of the major elements in the success or failure of any treatment.

Research is as important a part in aquatic animal medicine as in any other branch of medicine. However, it is often difficult to "pay your own way." Much research is currently being carried out through the U.S., and more could be accomplished by utilizing available grants from different agencies.

Much can be learned from both alive and expired specimens, be they captive or wild, but How can this be accomplished? The basic requirement is communication and cooperation between the aquarium/oceanarium, universities, and research personnel. We need to adequately train more personnel, possibly by including such in veterinary technician programs. There is a great need for elective courses dealing with aquatic animals in veterinary schools so that potential DVM's may be exposed to the unique problems of aquatic animals.

In conclusion, a look at aquatic medicine is fascinating. A great deal has been accomplished in the last ten years -- even the last two years. But where will we be in twenty years? One must foresee greater utilization of the oceans and the ocean's animals, so we must continue to improve the state of the art. Some recommendations to accomplish this are:

1. Continued research in husbandry.
2. Continued research in disease prevention and treatment.
3. Development of equipment for handling of animals.
4. Development of educational and training facilities for professional and lay personnel.
5. Development of food resources for aquatic animals that are nutritious and economical.
6. Research into animal behavior to better understand the animal's wants and needs.
7. Extensive communication within the aquatic animal field so each may benefit from another's experience.

Let us all, private industry, universities, state and federal governments, and countries, work together to the benefit of our aquatic friends.