Aquaculture is one of the fastest growing industries globally; its production volume currently represents over 40% of all fisheries and within a few years will surpass that of traditional fisheries. New species and methodologies contribute to the fact that new emerging diseases are increasingly being discovered within this field, and aquatic animal welfare issues are only just beginning to be considered. This OIE Global Conference on Aquatic Animal Health was an opportunity for the OIE and its Member Countries to help build a framework for improved involvement and cooperation between the authorities (Veterinary and Fish Health, Fisheries and Environment), the scientific community and the private sector on aquatic animal health and welfare; help clarify the roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders in the process of early disease detection, rapid response and reporting; help increase aquatic animal health emergency response capabilities; exchange information on emerging diseases and animal welfare issues; help develop a science-based approach to the management of aquatic animal health and welfare; and present the valuable experience gained in the past few years. Following the presentations and discussions, recommendations were developed to better define roles and responsibilities and to assist in the evaluation and improvement of the current standards and guidelines for better control of infectious aquatic animal health, and the preparedness of countries for aquatic animal disease emergencies.

With the increase in the culture of 'new' aquatic animal species and the consequential discovery of new and emerging diseases, it appears timely to provide an update on the range of disease emergency management strategies. The main purpose of this volume of the Review is therefore to provide a state-of-the-art compilation and assessment of aquatic animal disease emergency management strategies, covering policies as well as operational tools, from international to farm levels. It aims to provide useful generic information on the different issues surrounding the management of aquatic animal disease emergencies, written by world specialists.

Accounting for nearly half, 45%, of the world's food fish including fish, crustaceans, molluscs, and amphibians, aquaculture is currently one of today's fastest growing production sectors. Aquaculture Microbiology and Biotechnology examines the advances and research in genetic manipulation and biotechnology that provide the foundation and fuel for this rapid growth. It discusses commonly used methods such as chromosome manipulation and hormone treatment and the application of these techniques to produce triploid, tetraploid, haploid, gynogenetic and androgenetic fish.