The Aquatic Animal Health Research Institute

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The Establishment of AAHRI

The Aquatic Animal Health Research Institute (AAHRI) developed from the Fish Disease Group of the National Inland Fisheries Institute. During its 15 years within NIFI, facilities and expertise in fish health research improved with support from various international agencies including FAO, UNDP, USAID, and CIDA and IDRC of Canada. In 1990, the Overseas Development Administration of the United Kingdom (ODA), now the Department for International Development (DFID), recognized the potential for the Fish Disease group to develop as a centre of expertise in fish disease research for the South East Asia region. Subsequently, the Department of Fisheries, with support from the ODA through the South East Asia Aquatic Disease Control Project, established AAHRI, which moved into the present premises early in 1992. Staff and facilities were upgraded, and its remit was expanded to include research on diseases of all aquatic animals.

AAHRl's Role

AAHRI is the section of the Thai Department of Fisheries specifically responsible for research relating to diseases of economically important aquatic animal species. Studies are aimed at diagnosing the causes of disease and developing effective methods to prevent and control them. AAHRI transfers new technology, developed within the Institute, to other scientists in the region through training workshops, and to Thai scientists and farmers through training and extension publications. It also offers a diagnostic service, undertakes constancy work and issues health certificates for all shipments of live aquatic animals destined for export.

International Links

The Institute has close contact with many international institutes including the Institute of Aquaculture, Stirling University in Scotland and the Czechoslovakia Academy of Science. Joint research projects have been established with scientists at these institutes. AAHRI also has strong collaborative links with the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) Aquaculture Department, the Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific (NACA), The Fisheries Department of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and the Australian Council for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR).

Facilities

The Aquatic Animal Health Research Institute is housed in a 2 storey building located on Kasetsart University Campus in Bangkok. The ground floor comprises laboratories equipped with the necessary scientific equipment for research and diagnosis of fish disease and a fish holding facility. The floor above contains offices, a conference room fitted with audio-visual teaching aids, a comprehensive library, and a fully equipped dark room.

Histopathology Unit

This unit is responsible for producing sections of aquatic animal tissues affected by disease. These are used for identifying the causative agents of  disease and for research on the effects of pathogens and abiotic factors on aquatic animals

Immunology Laboratory A variety of immunological-based research profects have been conducted in this unit, including monoclonal antibody and vaccine development. Monoclonal antibodies have been developed to provide probes for the rapid diagnosis of fish diseases, and as tools for testing fish immune response. The laboratory is equipped to carry out many immunological-based techniques, including enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Western blot, immunohistochemistry, and indirect fluorescent antibody technique. DNA-based research has also been conducted, with recent projects animal at the identification and characterization of Mycobacterium spp.

Bacteriology Laboratory  Aeromonads, Vibrios and Mycobacteria are the three main bacterial groups of interest. Research work concentrates on bacterial identification, testing pathogenicity of isolates, and the development of methods for disease treatment and prevention.

Parasitology Laboratory The parasitology section is responsible for the identification and treatment of the parasites and fungal diseases of fish. Surveys are carried out of parasite burdens of wild and cultured fish, and research is conducted on the prevalence and pathogenicity of aquatic animal parasites.

Virology Laboratory The virology section is responsible for the study of virus diseases of aquatic animals. As the technology develops and our knowledge in this area increases, the importance of viral infections in aquaculture is becoming increasingly apparent.The laboratory has 3 sections : a tissue culture and media preparation room; a virus isolation room; and a temperature-controlled wet lab.

Fish Health Clinic

AAHRI is equipped with a clinic that provides a diagnostic facility for farmers and issues health certificates for live aquatic animal shipments destined for export. Both services are provided free of charge. Staff often visit fish farms at the farmers request to provide further advice on disease prevention and health management. AAHRI provides diagnostic and certification facilities to at least 500 farmers a year.

Training and Collaboration

AAHRI arranges workshops and short term training for local fish farmers and students, giving training to about 600 farmers and fish health workers per year. Researchers and scientists from both within and outwith the region are welcome to utilise the laboratory facilities. Training courses in Shrimp Health Management are organised annually in collaboration with the Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia - Pacific (NACA).

Publications

Scientific outputs from AAHRI are published in national and international journals. in-housepublications include: The Aquatic Animal Disease Newsletter (published in Thai); the AAHRI Newsletter (in English); Histology of Snakehead Fish; a Manual of Hybrid Catfish Husbandry and Health; Histology of the Walking Catfish; Health Management in Shrimp Ponds (In English) and Health Management in Shrimp Ponds (In Thai); a fish disease dictionary; Pathology and Histopathology of Epizootic Ulcerative Syndrome (EUS); Epizootic Ulcerative Syndrome (EUS) Technical Handbook Diagnostic Procedures for finfish  Diseases; disease manuals for farmers; and posters of aquatic animal, catfish and shrimp diseases.

 AAHRI has undertaken to fulfil the Department of Fisheries objectives for fisheries development and is a major centre for aquatic disease control in the South East Asia Region.

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