Aquatic Animal Disease Workshop in Mauritius

​GIS - 29 July 2015: A ten-day training programme in Aquatic Animal Disease and Food Safety, organised by the Competent Authority – Seafood and the Agence Francaise de Développement, kickstarted yesterday at the Mauritius Maritime Training Academy in Pointe aux Sables.


The training is meant for the officers of the Competent Authority – Seafood and the aquatic division of the Albion Fisheries and Research Centre as well as for operators in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors. The course is being dispensed by Dr Laurent Pasco, Veterinary Officer and Head of the Board Inspection Post in Vannes (France).

Participants will gain knowledge in aquatic animal diseases specific to Mauritius and how to curb the risk of proliferation of aquatic animal diseases to species endemic in Mauritius. They will also acquire enhanced knowledge and skills in verifying whether shellfish, crustaceans, and other aquatic animals meant for export are fit for human consumption. After the training, they will be able to establish a food safety management plan that will ensure compliance to the requirements of importing countries. Moreover, the training will contribute in equipping officers with the necessary skills to enable them to effect appropriate verification and control within the national and international Regulatory Frameworks. In so doing, Mauritius can have access to several other markets while consolidating our presence in traditional markets.

The training comes at an opportune time, says Minister The Minister of Ocean Economy, Marine Resources, Fisheries, Shipping and Outer Islands, M. Premdut Koonjoo, was present for the opening. In his address, he highlighted that the training has come at an opportune time since the Ministry is working on the expansion of the aquaculture sector in Mauritius. He recalled that the vision of the Government is to make the ocean economy an important industry to sustain economic diversification, job creation and wealth generation. In this respect, the fisheries and aquaculture industry will play an important role in developing the ocean economy, he said. The training programme, the Minister said, will contribute in developing the fisheries and aquaculture sectors in a sustainable manner and allow operators in fish and fish products sector to develop their business free from diseases.

Seafood Safety

The recent BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has raised concern about the seafood safety in the region.

Seafood can be contaminated after an oil spill in three ways: crude oil can coat seafood or be incorporated into fish or shellfish, making it smell or taste oily and be unsafe to eat. As the oil breaks down in the environment, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from the oil enter the food chain. PAHs can cause DNA damage and cancer. Invertebrates (such as oysters, shrimp, and crabs) are less efficient at excreting these chemicals, so they are most likely to be contaminated. Toxic metals, such as mercury, cadmium, and lead are also found in crude oil. Although only trace amounts are present in the oil itself, these metals bioaccumulate in the food chain and the peak levels of metal contamination will likely occur months or years from now in swordfish, tuna, King mackerel, and marine mammals. These metals can cause damage to the kidneys and central nervous system, particularly during pregnancy. Read more: Opinion: Seafood needs better science