Aquatic Animal Health (or “Fish” health) is a growing area of public interest and associated veterinary activity. Veterinarians are rightly seen as independent guardians and experts in fish health and there is a need, understood within the profession, for specialised knowledge of this complex area to be appropriately recognised.
The establishment of the Aquatic Animal Health Membership subject within the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists (ANZCVS) in 2001 signified the growing need and interest in the veterinary profession to gain advanced knowledge, and recognition of this knowledge, in the discipline of aquatic animal health.
The membership subject has been well received and now sixteen veterinarians are members of the ANZ College in Aquatic Animal Health by examination. There is continued strong interest in the subject, with several veterinarians enrolled to sit Membership exams in the subject in 2012.
There are several veterinarians who predominately work with fish as their main stay. There are veterinarians who have the expertise and skills but lack the official qualification.
The examination in aquatic animal health creates this qualification and formalises the training pathway. If the veterinary profession is to further its involvement in aquatic animal health and meet the expectations of the public, industry and government, then it needed to provide the opportunity to enable veterinarians to become specialists in the field and be recognised for this specialisation. The ANZ College fulfils this need through a rigorous programme of training and examination.
