Fish diseases and parasites are very important and often determining factor for the status of wild stocks, but also in aquaculture, especially for pond cultivated fish. Growing aquaculture sector is therefore significantly dependent on the fish parasitology competences for effective and timely management of diseases and parasites. However, there is often clear gap in such competences even though aquaculture sector demands for it, like in the Lithuanian case. This autumn, in collaboration of AquaVIP project partners, the Practical Training in Fish Parasitology was implemented in Klaipeda University for 12 participants, including KU students, scientists and other stakeholders representing State Food and Veterinary Service, Lithuanian Sea Museum.
The Practical Training in Fish Parasitology contained theoretical background and practical exercises of standard fish sample preparation, dissection and parasitological identification. Each participant individualy analized 4 fish species: perch, roach, vimba and bream, and different species or higher taxon parasites were found and identified during training. The courses were given by Anne-Sophie Brunner, the lecturer from Rostock University, which have strong competences in fish parasitology. These competences are shared among AquaVIP partners – exactly for what the project is aiming at – to raise aquaculture sector competences and career potential in South Baltic area.