Composition of California’s aquaculture industry and surveying its disease challenges and management strategies

Abstract

California (CA) aquaculture is best characterized by its diversity of production systems, cultured species, and final products. The industry comprises four major sectors (i.e., finfish, shellfish, macroalgae, and natural resource agency), which raise aquatic organisms for a variety of purposes, such as sustenance, conservation, recreation, and scientific research. In terms of commercial production value, California aquaculture contributes roughly 6 % to the total value of the U.S. aquaculture industry. The predominant forms of commercial aquaculture in CA are the production of finfish and shellfish for human consumption, which contribute 40.2 % and 30.0 %, respectively, to the total production value of the industry. Other forms of commercial aquaculture in CA include the production of sportfish species for recreational fishing, and other seafood products like caviar and macroalgae. Natural resource agencies, such as the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), are also significant aquaculture producers that raise salmonids for conservation and recreation purposes. The diversity within CA aquaculture requires an equally diverse set of disease management strategies that address the specific needs of each sector. A recent survey on aquatic animal health indicates that California finfish and shellfish facility managers are aware of disease challenges and use a preventative approach to reduce the likelihood of disease outbreaks. Our survey results suggest that when disease is detected, non-prescription antimicrobial products (i.e., hydrogen peroxide) are used most frequently for disease treatment (71 % commercial, 17 % commercial shellfish, 86 % CDFW), while prescription antibiotics are only utilized following veterinary review and approval (18 % commercial finfish, 0 % commercial shellfish, 71 % CDFW). Biosecurity and disease-response protocols are also important components of disease management, and their standardization across each sector will enhance the disease prevention capabilities of the aquaculture industry.