The Fish Vet's Blog

So here I am in Colombo, Sri Lanka, at the International Ornamental Fish Conference (see link).

 What have I learnt?

 

I learnt that the Sri Lankan government is more than fully supportive of its ornamental fish industry. Currently, Sri Lanka is the 6^th largest exporter of ornamental fishes, having doubled its exports in the last 5 years, to take on a market share of 5%. Doesn’t sound like much, but this equates to a turnover of ~AUD$100M. By the year 2020, they’re focused on doubling it yet again!

How do I mean that they’re being backed by their government? Well, this conference was attended by the:

• CEO of the Export Development Board,
• Minister of Fisheries & Aquatic Resources,
• State Minister of Fisheries & Aquatic Resources,
• Minister for International Trade, and
• Director of the Coastal Aquaculture Development (NAQDA)
• >150 local delegates sponsored by the government of Sri Lanka

 

These government departments will be working together to achieve their national goal, will also help with financing up to 80% for start-ups, and will help with market access, by organising their presence at several international aquarium/pet conventions.

 

There was also very strong media presence, and they have organised through INFOFISH, the invitation of speakers from around the world to share their learnings and experiences. They’ve even employed translators for real-time translation for the talks we’re giving!

Head sets for the translation service. 

 

Why is the government and community so keen to support ornamental fish trade? It’s because there’s going to be huge socioeconomic gains to be had. It provides rural/remote communities an avenue for earning an income (in a term coined, “Trade not Aid”), allows women to gain employment locally (35,000 people employed in the line of ornamental fishes), has a relatively low start-up cost (~USD$2000), and there is expertise  locally to farm fish, and there is demand for the product (global demand is increasing by 14% each year). This is exciting times for ornamental fish producers in Sri Lanka. I can only wish our Australian government could view our industry in a similar manner.

 

This conference will cover aspects of fish health, conservation, trade trends, marketing opportunities, regulation, biosecurity and more.

 

Check out some of the sights I’ve taken in – see link.

 

Registration is now open for the Fish Vet Society’s annual Spring Conference being held at the Norton House Hotel, Edinburgh airport, on Tuesday 28^th & Wednesday 29^th March.  

The veterinarian in charge of organising this annual event, Matthijs Metselaar, commented – 

“Our Spring Conference has become a much needed and very welcome opportunity for fish health professionals to come together and review important topics in a convivial and professional atmosphere of knowledge share.  One of our key objectives is to encourage the brightest and best veterinarian students to enter our young industry and we are therefore sponsoring ten students to come and present to the Conference.”

He continued, “Not only do we have an impressive range of external presenters lined up, the Society has coordinated this year’s event with the Laboratory Animal Science Association (LASA) and they are holding their Conference the following day in the same venue.”

Registration and further details can be found at www.fishvetsociety.org.uk and  www.lasa.co.uk 

You may be surprised to hear that many are still unaware that Veterinary Services are available for fishes. And even when I tell people that I’m a fish vet, they still ask (in disbelief) what it is that we do.

We come out, run tests to diagnose fish disease/s and administer appropriate treat/s.  We also offer Pathology Laboratory testing. Yes, for goldfish and koi, through to sharks and aquacultured species like barramundi, silver perch and abalone. 

Help spread the word that fishes now have real doctors who can help. 

http://thefishvet.com.au

PERTH | MELBOURNE | SYDNEY | TOWNSVILLE | BRIBIE ISLAND | AUSTRALIA-WIDE.

Q: How do fishermen like getting paid?
A: COD (cash on delivery). 

Have a FINtastic week! R <+>{

To continue to provide the best possible service, I’ve been invited to deliver aquatic lectures at the International Ornamental Fish Conference in Colombo, Sri Lanka. I hope to see you there!

Consequently, I will be unavailable until Tuesday 14th February.

I have organised my colleagues to cover for me while I am away. If you’d like to book an appointment, please send details via our contact-form at thefishvet.com.au

In the meantime, please check my blog for information on your topic at www.thefishvet.com

Follow me on: Facebook "Fin Page" – YouTube – Blog – Linkedin – Twitter

—
Yours sincerely,

Dr Richmond Loh DipProjMgt, BSc, BVMS, MPhil (Pathology), MANZCVS (Aquatics & Pathobiology), CertAqV, CMAVA, NATA Signatory.
Aquatic Veterinarian & Veterinary Pathologist
THE FISH VET, AUSTRALIA – PERTH | SYDNEY | MELBOURNE | TOWNSVILLE | BRIBIE ISLAND

Mobile Aquatic Veterinary Medical & Diagnostic Services.

• W: http://www.thefishvet.com.au
• Ph: +61 (0)421 822 383
• Skype: thefishvet
• President WAVMA 2014
• Adjunct Lecturer Murdoch University
• See advert on YouTube.

Have you seen any seafood with tell-tale unusual white spots?

The government is seeking our help to check on Australia’s status on white spot disease. If it’s here, we’d need to test and eradicate. If it’s not, then we continue to be one of the few countries free from this devastating disease.

If you see any “funny” looking lesions on any sort of shellfish (e.g. prawns, lobsters, yabbies, bugs, crabs, etc), immediately phone the 24 hour Dept of Fisheries FishWatch hotline on 1800 815 507 and provide the following information:

Your name, phone and home address.
The date, time and location of where the suspect prawns or other crustacean were seen, and photos/video.

See pictured, a case with signs resembling white spot disease that I found, and which thankfully returned NEGATIVE results for WSD.

Read more here –

http://www.outbreak.gov.au/current-responses-to-outbreaks/white-spot-disease

—
Yours sincerely,

Dr Richmond Loh
DipProjMgt, BSc, BVMS, MPhil (Pathology), MANZCVS (Aquatics& Pathobiology), CertAqV, NATA Signatory.

Aquatic Veterinarian & Veterinary Pathologist.
PERTH | MELBOURNE | SYDNEY | TOWNSVILLE | BRIBIE ISLAND.
THE FISH VET – AUSTRALIA.

Aquatic Veterinary Medical & Diagnostic Services.

http://www.thefishvet.com.au

Ph: +61 421 822 383

​Q: Why can’t fish stand being out of water?
A: because they don’t have any legs to stand on!
Have a FINtastic week! R <+>{

Is it safe to eat fish when pregnant? Or which ones are safer to consume in quantities?

Read more at –
http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodborneIllnessContaminants/Metals/ucm393070.htm

—
Yours sincerely,

Dr Richmond Loh
DipProjMgt, BSc, BVMS, MPhil (Pathology), MANZCVS (Aquatics& Pathobiology), CertAqV, NATA Signatory.

Aquatic Veterinarian & Veterinary Pathologist.
PERTH | MELBOURNE | SYDNEY | TOWNSVILLE | BRIBIE ISLAND.
THE FISH VET – AUSTRALIA.

Aquatic Veterinary Medical & Diagnostic Services.
http://www.thefishvet.com.au
Ph: +61 421 822 383

Below are the video links for each webinar:

1. Aquaponics: How to Do It Yourself
2. Final Rule: Mandatory Inspection of Fish of the order Siluriformes and Products Derived from Such Fish
3. Labeling Requirements for Siluriformes Fish USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service’s Voluntary Catfish Grading Program and Standards
4. What You Need to Know Bout Biosecurity
5. How to Design Your Health and Biosecurity Plan
6. Recreational Fish Pond Management
7. The HACCP Approach to Prevent the Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species by Aquaculture and Baitfish Operations
8. U.S. Farm-Raised Finfish and Shellfish 101
9. Regulatory Costs of U.S. Aquaculture Business
10. Branding Opportunities for Oyster Farmers
11. Seafood in the Diet: Benefits and Risks for Farm Raised and Wild
12. Use of Veterinary Feed Directive Drugs in Aquaculture
13. Social Media: An Introduction for Successful Use
14. Fish Health: What You Need to Know as an Aquaculture Producer
15. Indoor Shrimp farming

This webinar series is presented by the USAS, NCRAC, NAA and a grant from the USDA (2012-38500-19550)

Questions about this webinar series should be directed to jstenney@iastate.edu

Follow me on: Facebook “Fin Page” – YouTube – Blog – Linkedin – Twitter

—
Yours sincerely,

Dr Richmond Loh DipProjMgt, BSc, BVMS, MPhil (Pathology), MANZCVS (Aquatics & Pathobiology), CertAqV, CMAVA, NATA Signatory.
Aquatic Veterinarian & Veterinary Pathologist

THE FISH VET, AUSTRALIA – PERTH | SYDNEY | MELBOURNE | TOWNSVILLE | BRIBIE ISLAND

Mobile Aquatic Veterinary Medical & Diagnostic Services.

• W: http://www.thefishvet.com.au
• Ph: +61 (0)421 822 383
• Skype: thefishvet
• President WAVMA 2014
• Adjunct Lecturer Murdoch University
• See advert on YouTube.

Join me in Sri Lanka in February!

08-10 February, 2017, Kingsbury Hotel, Colombo, Sri Lanka

08 February 2017

07:30 – 09:00 AM Registration
09:00-10:30 AM Opening Ceremony
10:30 – 11:00 AM Tea break

PLENARY SESSION

11:00-11:20 PM Global Overview of the Ornamental Fish Industry: Challenges Trends and Outlook, Shane Willis, President, Ornamental Fish International (OFI), Netherlands

SESSION 1: Ornamental Fish Industry Status, Supply, Trade and Markets

11:20- 11:40 AM Overview of the US Market for Aquarium Fish and Invertebrates, Michael Tuccinardi, Senior Editor & Associate Publisher/Consultant, Reef to Rainforest Media/Blackwater Consulting, US
11:40 -12:00 NN EU Market and Legislation, Paul Bakuwel, Secretary General,Ornamental Fish International (OFI), Netherlands
12:00 -12:20 PM Latest Trends in the World Guppy Market, Andrew Lim, Asia Pacific Director, International Guppy Education & Exhibition Society, Malaysia
12:20-12.40 PM Discussion
12:40 – 01:40 PM Lunch break
01:40 – 02:00 PM Ornamental Fish Industry Status, Singapore, Lim MengHuat, Chief Operating Officer, Apollo AquariumPte Ltd, Singapore
02:00 – 02:20 PM Sri Lankan Ornamental Fish Industry – Trends and Outlook, Randika Fernando, President, Association of Live Tropical Fish Exporters, Sri Lanka
02:20 – 02:40 PM Trends in the Indian Ornamental Fish Industry, Mini Sekharan, Assistant Professor, School of Industrial Fisheries, Cochin University of Science and Technology, India
02:40 – 03:00 PM Discussion
03:00 – 03:30 PM Tea Break

SESSION 2: Market Access & Non-Tariff Barriers

03:30 – 03:50 PM Non-Tariff Barriers Affecting Ornamental Fish Trade, Svein Fossa, President, European Pet Organization, Norway
03:50 – 04:10 PM An Update on the New Rules and Regulations Coming up from Importing Countries, Paul Bakuwel, Secretary General, Ornamental Fish International (OFI), Netherlands
04:10 – 04:30 PM Why Bio Security is Essential in theOrnamental Fish Industry, and How to Implement it,Danny Benjamin, Managing Director, Hazorea Aquatics, Israel
04:30 – 05:00 PM Discussion
06.00 PM Networking Session followed by a Cocktail hosted by Hon. Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development.

9 February 2017

SESSION 3: Ornamental Fish Breeding Farming and Transportation

09:00 – 09:20 AM Breeding and Rearing of Asian Arowana, Nah HweeSeng, Principal Technologist/Aquaculture Technology Department,Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority(AVA), Singapore
09:20 -09:40 AM Importance of Broodstock Management and Selective Breeding, KapilaTissera, Independent Consultant, Sri Lanka
09:40 – 10:00 PM High Density Packing of Fish for Transportation& IATA Requirements, Lim MengHuat, Chief Operating Officer, Apollo Aquarium PteLtd, Singapore
10:00 – 10:20 PM Discussion
10:20 – 10:50 PM Tea Break
10:50 – 11:10 PM Innovations in the Farming of Ornamental Fish with Special Reference to Feeding and Rearing, Shane Willis, President, Ornamental Fish International (OFI), Netherlands
11:10 -11:30 PM Quarantine Procedures and Certification in Sri Lanka, G R Rajapaksha, Chief Animal Quarantine Officer, Department of Animal Production & Health, Sri Lanka
11:30 – 11:50 PM Identification of Diseases and Preventive Methods at Farm Level, Richmond Loh, Aquatic Veterinarian & Veterinary Pathologist, The Fish Vet, Australia
11:50 – 12:20 PM Discussion
12:20 – 01:30 PM Lunch

SESSION 4: Marine Ornamental Fish Breeding and Rearing

01:30 – 01:50 PM Feasibility of Marine Ornamental Fish Breeding and Rearing, Svein Fossa, President, European Pet Organization, Norway
01:50- 02:10 PM Coral Farming: Moving Towards Sustainable Live Corals for the Marine Aquarium Trade, GayatriReksodihardjo-Lilley, Founder and Director, YayasanAlam Indonesia Lestari-The Indonesian Nature Foundation, Indonesia
02:10 – 02:30 PM New Frontiers in the Marine Ornamental Trade, Michael Tuccinardi, Senior Editor & Associate Publisher/Consultant, Reef to Rainforest Media/Blackwater Consulting, USA
02:30 – 03:00 PM Discussion
03.00 – 03.30 PM Tea Break
03.30 – 03.50 PM Understanding Connectivity Among Species and Habitats for Sustaining Wild Populations of Marine Aquarium Species, ArjanRajasuriya, Coordinator Coastal & Marine Programme, IUCN, Sri Lanka
03:50 – 04:10 PM Sustainable Ornamental Fish Production, Environmental Impact Issues and Benefits of Certification, Nada Bougouss, International Outreach Officer, Customer Relationship Management, Friend of the Sea, Italy
04:10 – 04:30 PM Closing the Programme

10 February 2017

09:00 –03:00 PM Visit to Ornamental Fish Breeding and Training Centre at Rambadagalle

REGISTER HERE