The PMP/AB refers to a pathway aimed at enhancing aquaculture biosecurity by building on existing frameworks, capacity and appropriate tools using risk-based approaches and public-private sector partnerships. It is expected to result in sustainable (i) reduction in burden of diseases; (ii) improvement of aquatic health and welfare at farm, national and regional levels; (iii) minimization of global spread of diseases; (iv) optimization of socio-economic benefits from aquaculture; (v) attraction of investment opportunities into aquaculture; and (vi) achievement of One Health goals. In the context of the PMP/AB, biosecurity refers to the cost-effective management of risks posed by pathogens to aquaculture through a strategic approach at the enterprise, local-sector, national and international levels with shared public-private responsibilities. This guidance document for PMP/AB application contains the rationale, vision, mission, scope, goals and benefits of the PMP/AB. The four stages of the PMP/AB are described in detail, including the overall objectives and key outcomes to complete each stage. It also presents a general stepwise process and recommended activities for completing the different stages. The PMP/AB checklist is divided into four broad categories, namely: Sectors and Stakeholders; Aquatic Health Services; Surveillance, Monitoring and Diagnostics; and Management and Evaluation.

This report highlights the accomplishments of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) consultations and round-table discussions on the PMP/AB that were held during 2019. These include the following: (i) the Second Multi-Stakeholder Consultation on the Progressive Management Pathway for Improving Aquaculture Biosecurity (PMP/AB2) (29–31 January 2019); (ii) the Progressive Management Pathway for Improving Aquaculture Biosecurity (PMP/AB): First Technical Working Group Meeting (TWG1) (20–22 March 2019); and (iii) the Roundtable Discussions on Aquaculture Biosecurity (22–26 July 2019). It reports on the progress made towards formulating, planning and developing implementation mechanisms for the PMP/AB, based on the comments and recommendations provided by the wide range of stakeholders and experts who participated in these events. In August 2019, the Tenth Session of the Committee on Fisheries (COFI) Sub-Committee on Aquaculture, held in Trondheim, Norway endorsed the PMP/AB and the development of a multidonor-assisted, long-term aquaculture biosecurity component of an aquaculture programme, including its five pillars. Therefore, the FAO, through its Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, now has a mandate for the further development and implementation of the PMP/AB. Future activities include the establishment of an official Technical Working Group (TWG) that will drive the further development of the technical aspects of the PMP/AB, wider consensus building, initial application (pilot testing) and refinement of the PMP/AB tools, and resource mobilization for the aquaculture biosecurity programme. Guidance documents and resources for advocacy and training on the PMP/AB are currently in development to facilitate adoption at the national level.

This report presents the results of a Technical Working Group (TWG) meeting, where experts from competent authorities, intergovernmental organizations, the aquaculture industry, academe, and research institutions examined the two previous consultations on the Progressive Management Pathway for Improving Aquaculture Biosecurity (PMP/AB) and clarified issues and concerns raised during these two consultations. A consensus was reached on the definition of the PMP/AB as a pathway that builds on existing frameworks, supported by appropriate tools (via the “PMP/AB toolkit”). The PMP/AB focuses on aquaculture biosecurity, which includes health management and reduction of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The PMP/AB will not directly focus on food safety; however, it will promote sustainable aquaculture production with good husbandry practices, environmental practices, and prudent treatment or antimicrobial use.

This report presents the results of a second multi-stakeholder consultation on the Progressive Management Pathway for Improving Aquaculture Biosecurity (PMP/AB), where 41 participants from government, the private sector, academe, and international agencies and donors took stock of the drivers of aquatic animal disease emergence and shared experiences in dealing with aquaculture biosecurity challenges. The four stages of the PMP/AB focus on building aquaculture biosecurity capacity through both bottom-up and top-down approaches with strong stakeholder engagement to promote application of risk management at the producer level as part of a national approach. The PMP/AB initiative is not intended to be prescriptive, and it will be possible to achieve the key outcomes through different combinations of activities. It is essential to address all key outcomes to fully complete a stage and progress to the subsequent stage.

This report documents the accomplishments of the FAO Project TCP/MIC/3603/C2 – “National Aquatic Animal Health and Biosecurity Strategy” that was implemented in 2019 for the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). These include the following: (i) Round-table discussions on aquaculture development, biosecurity legislation, aquatic animal health and aquaculture biosecurity (21–22 May 2019); (ii) Technical Seminar on Basic Aquatic Animal Health and Aquaculture Biosecurity (23 May 2019); (iii) National Consultation on Aquaculture Development, Biosecurity Legislation, Aquatic Animal Health (24 May 2019); and (iv) Introductory training course on risk analysis within the Progressive Management Pathway for Improving Aquaculture Biosecurity (PMP/AB) (27–28 May 2019). The various activities undertaken during the field mission provided the basis for drafting the National Strategy on Aquatic Animal Health (NSAAH) and the National Aquatic Pathogen List (NAPL) for FSM. There is a need to conduct another round of national consultations in order to generate feedback prior to finalizing the documents and approval. The next step will be to incorporate them into the government’s policy documents and work with partners for joint resource mobilization to support implementation. The report also contains a list of recommendations that the Government of FSM should consider to improve capacities in aquatic animal health and aquaculture biosecurity.

The Federated States of Micronesia’s National Strategy on Aquatic Animal Health 2021–2024, a broad and comprehensive strategy to build and enhance capacity for the management of national aquaculture biosecurity and aquatic animal health, was developed under FAO’s Project TCP/MIC/3603/C2: “National Aquatic Animal Health and Biosecurity Strategy”. The FSM’s NSAAH has taken into consideration a new initiative that FAO and partners have developed – the Progressive Management Pathway for Improving Aquaculture Biosecurity (PMP/AB). The application of the NSAAH has now expanded to fit as an important element of the PMP/AB.This initial strategy document outlines 15 major Programmes that will assist in developing a national approach to overall management of national aquaculture biosecurity and aquatic animal health. To complete this draft document, the Competent Authority (the Department of Resources and Development, R&D) should review the brief summaries of key projects suggested to be of immediate high priority to be accomplished under each of the 15 Programmes, modifying or adding to these as appropriate. The R&D will also need to develop an associated Implementation Plan for the National Strategy on Aquatic Animal Health (NSAAH) that identifies the activities that must be accomplished, the responsible sector(s) (government, private sector, and/or academia), the key staff, details of each project, the time-frame and an associated budget and source of funding (government, private sector, or other source). It is expected that progress toward completion of the various Projects will be reviewed on a regular basis and, beginning in 2023, the NSAAH and its Implementation Plan will be revised and renewed on a 5-year basis. At these intervals, and as national aquaculture development and aquatic biosecurity progresses through completion of Projects, new Programmes and Projects will be added. As an evolving and living document, the NSAAH will contain the national action plans for short-, medium- and long-term phased implementation based on national priorities.The 15 Programmes included in this NSAAH for 2021–2024 are: Programme 1: Policy, Legislation and Enforcement; Programme 2: Risk Analysis; Programme 3: National Aquatic Pathogen List; Programme 4: Border Inspection and Quarantine; Programme 5: Diagnostics; Programme 6: Farm-level Biosecurity and Health Management; Programme 7: Veterinary Drugs and Avoidance of Antimicrobial Resistance; Programme 8: Surveillance, Monitoring and Reporting; Programme 9: Communication and Information System; Programme 10: Emergency Preparedness and Contingency Planning; Programme 11: Research and Development; Programme 12: Institutional Structure (including Infrastructure); Programme 13: Human Resources and Institutional Capacity Development; Programme 14: Regional and International Cooperation; and Programme 15: Ecosystem Health.

Published in Cooperation with THE WORLD AQUACULTURE SOCIETY Aquaculture loses millions of dollars in revenue annually due to aquatic animal diseases. Disease outbreaks continue to threaten profitable and viable aquaculture operations throughout the world. As a result, aquaculture biosecurity programs that address aquatic animal pathogens and diseases have become an important focus for the aquaculture industry. Aquaculture Biosecurity: Prevention, Control, and Eradication of Aquatic Animal Disease provides valuable information that will increase success in combating infectious aquatic disease. Key representatives of international, regional, and national organizations presented their views on this important issue as part of a special session at the 2004 World Aquaculture Society Annual Conference. The chapters of this book cover a wealth of experience from the varied perspectives of these experts on biosecurity, policies, and measures to take the offensive against the spread of diseases in aquatic animals. With contributions from renowned international experts, covering approaches to biosecurity policies and measures currently practiced, Aquaculture Biosecurity: Prevention, Control, and Eradication of Aquatic Animal Disease is a vital reference for all those concerned about protecting aquaculture from impacts of aquatic animal disease.