Opportunities for veterinary engagement to improve aquaculture production and the health of farmed fish in the North Central Region of the United States.

Objective: To elucidate fish farmer perspectives on the use of veterinary services and preventative fish health measures.

Methods: A semistructured interview questionnaire was developed to better understand veterinary opportunities and the fish health needs of fish farmers in the North Central Region (NCR) of the US. From April to October 2023, we conducted 24 interviews with fish farmers, representing the diversity of production sectors in the region. Data from this observational study were organized and analyzed with the use of descriptive and qualitative approaches.

Results: Among interviewed fish farmers, regulatory fish health inspections were the most common fish health activity in the NCR, with 67% of farmers reporting the need to perform inspections annually. Although fish health inspections are a leading reason for engagement with fish health professionals, only 46% of farmers reported having an existing relationship with a local fish veterinarian. Voluntary, nonregulatory production medicine practices were relatively low, with only 29% of farmers reporting the use of written biosecurity plans, 13% vaccinating fish, and 4% using veterinary feed directives for antibiotic use.

Conclusions: We found engagement between fish health professionals and fish farmers to be low compared to other animal production industries. Most fish health activities in the NCR involving fish health professionals has been a consequence of regulatory inspections for select pathogens for fish movement, with less than half of the interviewed producers consulting with a fish health professional for nonregulatory support.

Clinical relevance: There are many fish farmers in the NCR who underutilize or do not use veterinary services, presenting an opportunity for veterinary engagement to improve the production and health of farmed fish. The results of this study provide insight into the needs and perspectives of fish farmers.