Preliminary Health Assessment of Cultured Clams in Florida
Investigators:
Dr. Ruth Francis-Floyd, DVM, University of Florida, Department of Fisheries
and Aquatic Sciences and College of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Roy Yanong, VMD, University of Florida, Department of Fisheries and Aquatic
Sciences, Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory
Dr. Allen Riggs, DVM, former University of Florida, College of Veterinary
Medicine
Funding:
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative State Research, Education, and
Extension Service
Time Period:
2002 - 2004
Objectives:
Culture of hard clams in Florida waters is the fastest growing aquaculture
industry in the state. Despite an excellent program in aquaculture medicine for
the finfish industries in the state, there are few trained shellfish
pathologists available to assist clam farmers or extension specialists. This
project has an important training component in which a shellfish pathologist
will be brought to Florida as a consultant to work with aquaculture
veterinarians and extension personnel on current concerns and diagnostic
techniques appropriate for support of the clam industry. An educational program
will also be delivered to growers to increase their awareness of potential
health problems for their stocks. The second part of the project proposes
establishment of a health monitoring program for cultured clams on the Gulf and
Atlantic coast. The monitoring program will provide an opportunity for
aquaculture veterinarians to develop expertise with the clam industry, as well
as provide baseline information on the presence or absence of important
shellfish pathogens in Florida waters. If diseases of concern are found,
appropriate educational programs will be conducted for extension personnel, clam
growers, and regulatory personnel.
Accomplishments to Date:
Shellfish
Health Education
A workshop entitled "Health Management and Introduction to Shellfish
Diseases" was held during January 27 through 31, 2003, in which both public and
private aquatic health professionals in the state were introduced to shellfish
issues. This continuing education program was lead by Dr. Roxanne Smolowitz, a
national renown shellfish pathologist and veterinarian from the Woods Hole
Marine Biological Laboratory, and consisted of lectures, “hands-on” laboratory
sessions on shellfish husbandry and diseases, and tours of commercial clam
facilities in Sebastian and Cedar Key. Participating public and private aquatic
veterinarians gained expertise on current conditions and diagnostic techniques
appropriate for support of the clam industry. During this time period, a
workshop for clam growers and seed suppliers was also held in Cocoa during which
industry members met with related persons involved in aquatic health management
and protection issues in the state. Dr. Smolowitz provided an introduction to
shellfish diseases, including a discussion on the prevalence of the clam disease
QPX in the Northeast and the limitation on shipment of southern seed stocks to
Virginia. A better understanding was gained of ongoing diagnostic support as
well as the development of a preliminary health monitoring program for Florida
clams.
Clam Health Assessment
The
pilot study is currently underway and includes establishing two sampling periods
at three hard clam growout locations around the state – Cedar Key area, Indian
River area and Southwest Florida. Sixty clams were sampled from each of these
study areas during the week of February 23, 2003 for a winter set and during the
week of August 17, 2003 for a summer set. A summary of water quality conditions
at these sites was also provided during sample collection. Half of the sampled
clams were prepared for Perkinsis screening by gastric gland
thioglycolate broth culture followed by an iodine stain of tissue. The remaining
clams were submitted for histological examination by routine hematoxylin and
eosin stains. Tests for QPX were carried out using standard histological
technique. Baseline information on the presence and absence of important
shellfish pathogens in Florida is being determined from these samples.
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