In recent years, aquatic products have increasingly become vital in the global food supply chain, significantly impacting the economies and social development of developing economies.

With the rapid expansion of aquaculture, particularly in the Asia Pacific economies accounting for 90% of global aquaculture production, fish health has emerged as a significant concern for producers. Studies indicate that fish diseases contribute to approximately 50% of total production losses. Outbreaks and swift diseases transmission can lead to widespread fish infections and environmental contamination, jeopardizing aquaculture operations. Timely detection and diagnosis of fish diseases are crucial to prevent their proliferation and ensure the viability of aquaculture operations. 

Early identification of fish diseases is imperative in modern aquaculture, with rapid diagnosis being pivotal for effective disease management.

Efforts to improve aquatic animal disease management should include measures to reduce the rate of disease occurrence, enhance detection and reporting mechanisms and improve responses to prevent disease spread. 

At the international level, improved reporting of aquatic animal diseases to the World Organizations for Animal Health (OMSA), allows the implementation of appropriate measures by member economies to implement appropriate measures to reduce transboundary disease spread. Early detection and notification of diseases if of benefit to the competent authorities to undertake necessary actions for disease confirmation and adopt prevention and control measures to contain disease outbreaks. 

It is essential to improve domestic strategies in detection and reporting to support rapid responses at all levels, local, domestic and international levels. Under-reporting or limited data reporting regarding aquatic animal diseases is a prevalent challenge, often stemming from insufficient knowledge or technical capacity for early disease detection among producers.

Rapid decision-making following disease detection by governments is essential and depends on a sound technical and economic evaluation of the options: eradication, containment, protection of free areas, among others. Therefore, it is imperative to deploy tools facilitating early infectious disease identification among farmers. 

The development and implementation of a guide containing technical data sheets detailing primary external and internal clinical signs of diseases affecting aquaculture species such as rainbow trout and tilapia will facilitate on-site recognition of major infectious diseases. The sustained benefits for APEC economies include: 

2. Enhance early detection and prompt disease notification.