FOREWORD

Outbreaks of diseases attributed to microbial etiology are devastating to both cultured, and wild fish and shellfish populations. A good number of emerging diseases may trace their origin to the seemingly harmless introduction of an exotic fish or shellfish into the importing country. Unfortunately, the imported fish or shrimp eventually proved to be the vectors of a novel pathogen unknown to the indigenous and virgin fish population. The Epizootic Ulcerative Syndrome (EUS) and Koi Herpesvirus Disease (KHVD) in fish, as well as the White Spot Syndrome (WSS) and Taura Syndrome (TS) in shrimp, are salient examples of fish and shellfish infections that had moved from country to country and even between continents. Hence, this meeting on "Transboundary Diseases in Southeast Asia: Occurrence, Surveillance, Research and Training" is highly relevant in creating and emphasizing awareness among Southeast Asian countries on the implications of the movement of fish pathogens in aquaculture. It is a proactive step towards vigilance against the transmission of the infectious organisms among economically-important aquatic animals. Focus on the positive. This
complements our goal to increase food production and to sustain food security for the teeming world population.

ROLANDO R. PLATON, Ph.D.
Chief, SEAFDEC/AQD



ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
We thank the Government of Japan through the Regional Fish Disease Project for funding the Meeting on Current Status of Transboundary Fish Diseases in Southeast Asia: Occurrence, Surveillance, Research and Training which was held at the Traders Hotel, Manila, Philippines on June 23-24, 2004. Many thanks to the session rapporteurs for noting down the important topics and issues discussed. We are thankful to Dr. Edgar C. Amar for collating the discussion reports and providing accuracy by listening to hours of taped sessions. The artistic input of Ms. Ethel Mae C. Reyes for the cover design is very much appreciated. Dr. Agus Sunarto and Dr. Leobert D. de la Pena provided the photos on the cover. We also thank Mr. Raph Nacepo for the lay-out of the whole document.