Activities

Scoping Review

A Scoping Review on GIS Technologies Applied to Farmed Fish Health Management

As more concerns have arisen regarding health management in farmed fish, Geographic information systems (GISs) may help enhance disease control and surveillance, especially during outbreaks. A scoping review was carried out on relevant scientific literature published between 2010 and 2022 to shed light on the actual implementation of GISs for health management in farmed fish in marine and freshwater environments. The study highlighted the gap between the potential of these smart GIS tools and the actual benefits accrued for disease control and surveillance when applied to farmed aquatic animals.

Link to article: link

Expert Opinion Elicitation

Expert opinion elicitation on GIS applications to Support Surveillance and Disease Response in the Aquatic Animal Health Domain

A survey has been developed to gather experts’ opinions and suggestions to improve the inventory of knowledge and abilities for the planning and implementation of GIS applications designed to support surveillance and disease response in aquatic animal diseases. The survey has been developed thanks to the valuable support of the Department of Aquatic Animal Health and Welfare of the Norwegian Veterinary Institute, and of the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science in the UK, both project advisors within Aquae Strength.

QGIS Training Course

A course was developed to transfer and enhance technical skills in the use of GIS tools to support surveillance and disease response in both marine and freshwater environments. The course was designed by the GIS laboratory of IZSVe, the Statistics and GIS laboratory of IZS Teramo, and the Epidemiological Observatory of IZS Lazio and Tuscany. A first edition of the course was held in November 2023 in English at the International Centre for Veterinary Training and Information “F.Gramenzi” of IZS Abruzzo and Molise for the Cambodian beneficiaries (Fisheries Administration/Department of Aquaculture Development). A second edition of the course was held in English and French at Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno in Portici (NA) for the Tunisian and Moroccan beneficiaries (Institut National des Sciences et Technologies de la Mer and Office National de Sécurité Sanitaire des produits Alimentaires) in March 2024. The e-learning version of the course will be made available through the WOAH channels.