engleski

Parasitofauna of farmed fish : impact on human health

Aquaculture is nowadays a fast growing food sector. However, along with the fast development of aquaculture in Mediterranean there is a great concern of the emerging fish diseases directly affecting food safety. European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) and gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) are two most important fish species in Croatian aquaculture and together with bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) farming constitute significant part of this industry in the Croatia. For the purpose of this study three sea bass and one tuna farm were investigated, all located in the East Adriatic Sea. Sampling sites were chosen in order to cover different regions: south, central and north Adriatic. Sampling was done during spring and autumn in the period from 2005 to 2010. A total of 333 randomly sampled sea bass and 10 tunas were analysed. Samples for ectoparasite analyses were collected from skin and gills, and were microscopically analysed in situ. Further macroscopic investigation of internal organs during necropsy was made for detection of the presence of endoparasites. A subsequent molecular analysis of sampled tuna parasites was made in the laboratory using PCR method. Five parasitic species have been found on sea bass and two on tuna. Although infection with Diplectanum sp. had high prevalence, economical loss wasn’t detected. Obtained results suggested difference between investigated sampling seasons. In addition, bacteriological and virological analyses of fish were also done together with physicochemical analysis of the collected seawater. Detected parasites could present threat for aquaculture, by inducing mortality or suppressing fish growth they lead to the great economical losses while on the other side they pose direct risk to the human health. Results of this investigation, together with previous knowledge, should be the basis for future monitoring of sea bass and tuna farm impacts elsewhere.

aquaculture ; parasites ; sea bass ; tuna

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