Download Executive Summary FC1109 `Studies on Fish Disease and Shellfish

Executive Summary FC1109 ‘Studies on Fish Disease and Shellfish
Hygiene’
This project addressed work in the area of fish disease and shellfish hygiene
through the provision of sandwich students to undertake specific projects in
these areas. Students were seconded to the Centre for Environment,
Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) at Weymouth to work on projects
related to research commissioned by the Fisheries Customer. The project
supported three students in the first year and studies focused on molecular
biology approaches to detection of Viral Haemorrhagic Septicaemia (VHS)
virus infecting wild fish species, cell structure assays for detection of paralytic
shellfish poison (PSP) toxins, and development and characterisation of
methods for the detection of enteric viruses in oysters associated with
outbreaks of infectious disease. In the second year the project supported
three students. Further studies were performed on Viral Haemorrhagic
Septicaemia and Spring Viraenia of Carp in particular examining their
distribution in both marine and fresh water fish; on investigation into
alternative indicators of sewage pollution in shellfish such as FRNA
bacteriophage, in particular examining their elimination during shellfish
depuration; and on the detection and characterisation of human enteric
viruses isolated from shellfish associated with a large outbreak of viral
gastroenteritis. In the third year the project supported two students in the
shellfish hygiene area of work. Studies were performed on the methods for
processing shellfish to improve recovery of human enteric viruses and on the
development of methods for characterisation of Norwalk-like virus, and other
enteric viruses, isolated from shellfish through PCR amplification and genome
sequencing. Full abstracts of these studies are given in the Scientific Report
Section and full yearly reports have been supplied at the end of each year of
these studies . Further copies of the annual reports can supplied by CEFAS
Weymouth if required.
The project was very successful and all students performed valuable work
helping to underpin ongoing lines of research at CEFAS Weymouth. The
additional support provided by the students was found to be vary valuable by
all student supervisors and helped to significantly develop and extend key
areas of CEFAS research. All students reported enjoying their time at
Weymouth and several have since returned as CEFAS employees. The
student programme therefore has been seen to have had significant benefits
for both CEFAS, the University and the Fisheries customer in the
development of the R&D programme. Staff at CEFAS greatly appreciate the
support of the Fisheries Customer and of the Chief Scientist Group in
enabling this cost-effective programme of student secondment to be
developed. A further five-year programme of student secondment has now
been agreed carrying on the valuable support to the fisheries research carried
out at CEFAS Weymouth which this project has provided.