Fish and Wildlife Health Program Summary
This program includes the study of diseases, die-offs, and acute kills of marine organisms as well as the impacts of associated causative factors.
PROGRAM SUMMARY:
This program includes the study of diseases, die-offs, and acute kills of marine organisms as well as the impacts of associated causative factors, such as infectious agents, parasites, contaminants, harmful algal blooms, biotoxins, and water quality. Objectives are to monitor the health of organisms in Florida marine and estuarine waters, including wild and cultured sport fish, shellfish, and seagrass; to assess and monitor disease, contaminants, harmful algal blooms, and biotoxin levels as bioindicators of environmental stress; to facilitate information transfer; to develop diagnostic support related to aquatic disease and mortality events in the Gulf of Mexico; and to develop health guidelines for stock enhancement.
BACKGROUND:
Fish, invertebrate, and aquatic plant health in the wild reflects the overall health of aquatic systems. Researchers are concerned about marine sport fish health because these fish support Florida's large, recreational fishing industry. Anglers understandably are concerned when fish show signs of disease or have heavy parasite or contaminant levels. A statewide network of aquatic health specialists, resource managers, and volunteers assist scientists in documenting aquatic mortality and disease events, which may be symptoms of deteriorating environmental conditions that can affect ecosystems and public health. Understanding the impacts of mortality and disease events on living aquatic resources will allow for protection and improvement of coastal habitats. Hatchery production of organisms for stock enhancement requires a high level of control over infections, parasitic diseases and environmental stressors, and the development of appropriate guidelines to ensure the release of healthy animals into Florida's waters.
CURRENT RESEARCH:
Staff members continually update both numerical and photographic data in an established marine sport fish health database. In addition to evaluating health criteria, staff members are developing diagnostic techniques to identify parasites, fungi, bacteria, pathologies, contaminants, harmful algal blooms, and biotoxins as bioindicators of environmental stress and determine their role in aquatic disease and mortality events. In addition, they have developed a database and methodology to investigate fish kills. Staff members continue to participate in the organization of a network to facilitate gulf-wide rapid responses to and scientific analysis of selected aquatic mortality events. The Aquatic Health Program conducts a statewide survey for Pfiesteria-like species of dinoflagellates and evaluates possible connections between the occurrence of these species and the geographic "hot spots" where lesioned fish are reported. The Fish and Wildlife Research Institute's (FWRI)state-of-the-art histopathology and electron microscopy laboratories provide material suitable for evaluating pathological changes in tissue and identifying pathogens. Scallop health is being evaluated at both the Stock Enhancement Research Facility (SERF) and in the wild as part of a scallop restoration program. Staff members are also participating in an initiative to investigate horseshoe crab mortalities. They are also investigating the potential role of biotoxins in the development of tumors in fish and marine turtles.
GEOGRAPHIC COVERAGE:
The Fish and Wildlife Health and disease
monitoring network
and the Fish Kill Hotline
(1-800-636-0511)
are now statewide.
There is an e-mail as well: FishandWildlifeHealth@MyFWC.com
PARTNERSHIPS:
South Florida Water Management District, University of Florida, U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, Florida Department of Environmental Protection and University of Hawaii.
FUNDING SOURCES:
State funding sources include Florida's Recreational Saltwater Fishing License (MRCTF) and General Revenue. Outside funding sources include U.S. Department of Interior Sport Fish Restoration Program, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Gulf of Mexico Disaster Assistance Program, and NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service.
PROGRAM COSTS:
Total program cost is $713,774. Overhead is assessed at $140,688, leaving $573,086 for program operations.
PROGRAM PRODUCTS:
Fish and Wildlife Health Program products include diagnostic protocols, research publications, analyses, and reports of unusual mortality events.
PROGRAM CONTACT:
Jan Landsberg, Ph.D., Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, 100 Eighth Avenue SE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701-5095, (727) 896-8626. e-mail: jan.landsberg@MyFWC.com
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BUDGET SUMMARY:
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FISH AND WILDLIFE HEALTH
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|
Funding Source
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#FTE
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FTE Salaries
|
OPS Salaries
|
OPS Contract
|
Expense
|
OCO
|
Program Operational Budget
|
Overhead Assessment
|
Total Program Budget
|
|
General Revenue
|
1.40
|
81,967
|
0
|
0
|
6,683
|
0
|
88,650
|
0
|
88,650
|
|
MRCTF
|
1.20
|
58,806
|
15,571
|
400
|
4,071
|
4,740
|
83,588
|
13,397
|
96,985
|
|
MRCTF/ Grants
|
5.00
|
184,613
|
72,836
|
0
|
114,399
|
29,000
|
400,848
|
127,291
|
528,139
|
|
Totals
|
7.60
|
325,387
|
88,407
|
400
|
125,152
|
33,740
|
573,086
|
140,688
|
713,774
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