There is extensive interest and expertise in aquatic animal medicine throughout Western and Central Europe, and the Mediterranean basin, but effort is largely confined to fish and invertebrates in response to the importance of aquaculture and the fishing industry. The countries of Scandinavia and Eastern Europe are the leaders in the field of aquaculture, but Israel, Italy and the United Kingdom, in particular, are rapidly expanding their interest. Culture of marine fish, fresh water fish and invertebrates for the table and restocking programs is the subject of an intensive research effort. In Britain, species such as rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri), sole (Solea solea), turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) and oysters are farmed on a production or experimental basis. Cyprinid fish are farmed in Central Europe and Israel, whereas the Salmonids are the chief subjects in Scandinavia and Iceland. There are problems in the development of aquaculture as a viable industry, particularly related to marketing and economics, and, in Britain at least, growth has not been as rapid as expected. Nevertheless, research is extensive. One of the leading European centers is the Unit of Aquatic Pathobiology at Stirling University, whose research into fish and invertebrate disease is led by veterinarians. The Ministry of Agriculture has fish disease laboratories and several major corporations undertake their own work in nutrition and medicine. Similar centers exist in most European countries. In October 1975 an attempt will be made to create a European Association of Aquacultural Pathologists out of an existing working group of fish pathologists.

The industry has complained that the numbers and ability of pathologists have not been matched by active health workers in the field. There is undoubtedly considerable dispute as to whether aquaculture medicine is a field for veterinarians or biologists. It is likely that the government and commercial veterinarians, with new extensive laboratory support, will maintain their lead in this field over the private practitioner. But there are a number of practitioners and university consultants in Europe who have made good progress, by effort and commitment, in both fish farming and tropical fish medicine. Particularly important publications in this field are Roberts' Fish Pathology, the Journal of Fish Biology, and the Journal of Fish Diseases.

There is no major work on aquatic reptiles in Europe, except for the interest of some individuals in pet turtle medicine. Turtle farming is not practiced in our region, although it may be expected to develop in the Mediterranean area. Aquatic birds, on the other hand, have been the subject of extensive study. Oiled sea-bird research and rescue centers exist in Britain (University of Newcastle), Holland (Netherland Institute of Sea Research) and Scandinavia. Birds are also used as monitors of less obvious marine pollutants. The Marine Pollution Bulletin co-ordinates much of this and other work on marine environmental damage. Continuing studies are devoted to disease in aquatic birds, especially related to human disease, including botulism and influenza viruses.

Marine mammal medicine and related studies are not as widely pursued in Europe as in North America. Most work is incidental to the three areas of interest -- whaling (confined to Spain, Iceland and Norway), population biology of indigenous species, and commercial oceanarium display. Legislation specific to marine mammals is considerable, although generally not restrictive to medical work. Most European countries are signatories to CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species), which -now covers most marine mammals, and an E.E.C. convention on marine mammals is under discussion. Britain and Holland have specific legislation protecting indigenous cetaceans and pinnipeds -- that in Britain having existed for some 700 years. Pinniped culls occasionally take place in Britain and Norway, although in most other countries emphasis is on rescue and rehabilitation of stranded seals, and the effects of pollution on declining populations. Public interest in seals and their welfare is very high throughout Northern Europe, and much effort is being expended to bring about similar attitudes to the Mediterranean Monk Sea] (Monachus monachus) in its home range. The latter culminated in the First International Monk Sea] Conference, held in Rhodes in 1978.

Live capture operations for cetaceans are limited to Iceland (killer whales and dolphins), a small area of Italy (dolphins) and the Black Sea (dolphins). These operations are closely monitored by veterinarians. Networks of scientists to monitor cetacean strandings are extensive in France, Holland and Britain. Increasing study is made of the pathology of stranded animals, cetaceans and pinnipeds, although little public attention is directed to these efforts. In general, live stranded specimens are not clearly covered by the law, and are consigned to the closest competent facility for care. The authority of the veterinarian on the spot to recommend care of such an animal is usually accepted by officials without argument.

Pinniped research effort is high in Britain, Holland and Scandinavia, the latter concentrating on pollution studies. In Britain, work by the government's Sea Mammal Research Unit relevant to medicine includes comparative blood studies of captive-reared and wild seals , serum, fat and milk polymorphism in seal populations, and pathology in seal colonies.

Research and medical work on small cetaceans is limited to oceanaria, which are numerous but generally small in this region. Most research is incidental to the keeping of animals for public display, although much effort is now being put into improving breeding and calf survival. There is little or no government or university backed work in this field, with the notable exception of the USSR, about which little information is available. The European Association for Aquatic Mammals represents the industry and holds annual conferences. Most information is collated by this organization and is usually published in the journal Aquatic Mammals. Medical work by the authors and colleagues includes clinical care and pathology of captive animals, with specific current research in the areas of protein polymorphism in Tursiops, causes of still birth and neonatal death, thyroid function, toxicity of chemicals used in water treatment, and continual improvements of clinical and therapeutic techniques.

One major new feature of international effort in this region must be mentioned -- the extraordinary Action Plan for the Mediterranean, which, with all 18 countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea agreeing to co-operate, must represent a unique political and scientific endeavor. It is hoped that efforts under the Action Plan to improve the marine environment will take into account aquatic animal disease studies.

References

1. Journal of Fish Biology - Academic Press, London.
2. Journal of Fish Diseases - Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford.
3. Fish Pathology - ed. R. J. Roberts - Bailliere & Tindall, London.
4. Netherlands Foundation For Aquatic Marine Research, Netherlands.