The latest meeting of the series "Combating RAM in aquaculture" addressed the welfare of aquatic animals as a key tool for preventing diseases and promoting the prudent use of antimicrobials.
With around 200 people connected, this Tuesday 20 October was the last webinar of the series "Fighting RAM in aquaculture", organized by the CASA Collaborating Centre and the Regional Office of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OMSA) for the Americas. The event was dedicated to aquatic animal welfare and its relationship with disease prevention and the reduction of the need to use antimicrobials.
Under the title "Animal Welfare in Aquatic Animals: Less Stress, Less Diseases, Less Antibiotics," the event brought together specialists from OMSA, Chile, Brazil and Colombia to share experiences and case studies on the application of animal welfare practices in aquaculture production systems.
The welcome words were given by Dr. Chadia Wannous, from the Department of One Health and Global Initiatives of OMSA. The event also featured the presence of Dr. Francisco D'Alessio, regional representative of OMSA for the Americas, and Dr. Javiera Cornejo, executive director of CASA. The closing remarks were given by Javier Yugueros-Marcos, head of the Department of Antimicrobial Resistance and Products. Veterinary officers of the organization.
As for the Dr. Alicia Gallardo, president of the Sanitary Standards Commission for Aquatic Animals of OMSA, actively participated in the event.
During the seminar, Marcela Lara, senior advisor of CASA and regional officer of OMSA for the Americas, presented the relationship between animal welfare, One Health and use of antimicrobials, highlighting the importance of considering welfare as an integral part of health prevention strategies in aquaculture.
The program included experiences on animal welfare in Chilean salmon farming, presented by Marcela Delgado; the use of spore-forming bacteria as sustainable biotechnological solutions for water quality, fish health and welfare in aquaculture, presented by Dr. Ulisses Pereira from the State University of Londrina, Brazil; and the application of animal welfare standards in production, with a focus on aquaculture. presented by Daniel Rucinque, from Colombia.
