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Together with the increase in Mediterranean aquaculture production in recent years, the number
of diseases diagnosed and pathogens detected among farmed aquatic species has also increased
considerably. In order to control diseases and to improve production, farmers use various external
resources including chemicals, veterinary drugs, vaccines, immunostimulants, etc. Although important
developments have been achieved in vaccine production, some operations still depend on the use
of veterinary drugs, and responding to the increasing concerns of environmental sustainability and
consumer preference for safe food the sector has begun to realize the potential risk associated with the
irresponsible use of these products.
In May 2003 an International Seminar on "The use of veterinary drugs and vaccines in Mediterranean
aquaculture" was jointly organized by the CIHEAM and the FAO in Izmir (Turkey), with the collaboration
of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of Turkey, and the Turkish Fisheries Foundation. The
seminar reviewed and compiled a significant amount of valuable information on the subject. This
publication contains 17 of the 24 contributions presented at the Seminar, dealing with different topics
related to disease management in aquaculture. Considering the quality of the manuscripts and the
fact that most of the information provided is still relevant six years on, this publication is an important
reference on the subject, in particular for the Mediterranean, where there is a lack of information in this
field of expertise.
