Anthropogenic disease translocation - Assessment of a threatening process in aquatic communities
Since 1986 in Australia there have been a series of catastrophic or potentially catastrophic disease outbreaks in native finfish due to viruses. In each case epidemiological investigation has pointed to an anthropogenic factor in the emergence of a previously unknown or foreign disease in aquaculture or wild fisheries. In this short review the risk factors apparent in Australia and globally for disease emergence in aquatic systems will be discussed in the context of real disease outbreaks that have threatened or currently threaten native populations. The role of multidisciplinary research in effecting policy change at government level to reduce disease translocation as a threatening process will be discussed.