Fish Health Certificate Field Training

DATE UPDATE
March 6, 2008; 12:30 - 5:30 p.m.

The University of Minnesota’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, in cooperation with the University of Wisconsin’s CVM, will be offering a half-day field training for the Fish Health Certificate program.  The purpose is to educate Minnesota veterinarians to conduct basic fish health assessments and collection for the state’s aquaculture industry.

Why you may ask…?
The emergence of viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHSv) in the Great Lakes region has prompted state and federal regulators to restrict the movement of fish.  These restrictions can be avoided by having all susceptible fish tested prior to movement across state lines.

Minnesota produces fish?
Yes!  There are 154 licensed aquaculture facilities across Minnesota making up an $8.5 million dollar industry.  Many of these farms send fish out of state.  The University of Minnesota’s VDL now has the capability to conduct all necessary tests for fish inspections.  The greatest bottleneck remaining for producers is having a qualified professional oversee the collection of their fish.

Now this is where you come in…
Federal and state regulations specify who oversees the collection the fish for an inspection.  These people include, fish health inspectors (American Fisheries Society certification) and state-approved veterinarians.  Briefly, you would travel to the farm, be sure the appropriate fish are collected, and then bring/ship them to the VDL.  Once the tests are complete, we will provide you with the results, which you pass on to the producer.  The fees you charge for the farm visit will of course be up to you.

Nervous about a new species?
Not anymore.  This training program covers the basics of fish health and inspection procedures.  Following completion of the online and half-day field training, you will be qualified to oversee collecting the fish and performing a Veterinary Health Assessment.  You will also be taught the skills to diagnose common fish diseases, asses biosecurity, and water quality conditions.

Click here for course overview

Five online modules must be completed prior to field training.  The field training will be held at the U of M Veterinary Diagnostic Lab and will be led by Dr. Myron Kebus (WI DACAP). 

Registration Instructions
Register at  http://www.vetmedce.org/index.pl?op=show;isa=Program;iid=130575  for access to the online modules.  Partial reimbursement (by the MN BAH and U of M VDL) will be given to participants following the completion of the field training. You must also register for the in-person wet lab by clicking here. Registration limited to 10 participants.

For more information
Contact: Nicholas Phelps – phelp083@umn.edu or 612-624-7450.