Abstract:
Aquatic animals need veterinary care as any
other animal species but sometimes this care
is inadequately managed. The role of veterinarians
in conventional farmed animal health
prevention and control are undoubtedly some
of the activities most commonly recognised to
the veterinary profession. Although poultry,
swine, beef, and other terrestrial animals have
been historically considered as the main source
for animal protein production, it is very important
to highlight that nowadays, fisheries and
aquaculture represent a substantial sources
of animal protein for human consumption.
Global fisheries have reached a non-sustainable
breakpoint and, in this scenario, aquaculture
emerges as the sustainable alternative for animal protein production for the future. Animal health
and welfare, and particularly the control of
impact of the diseases in finfish, crustacean
and mollusc farming still represents a very
important challenge for aquatic animal veterinarians.
The ornamental fish sector is also a
relevant area, and untapped resource for aquatic
animal professionals. However, these needs are
not followed by the same level of veterinary
services required, indicating that there is still a
lot of work to be done in this direction. Disease
control and prevention, and aquatic animal
health promotion across these different areas
is a very challenging task for the future, and
represent a tremendous source of opportunity
for aquatic veterinarians.
