Workshop on Perkinsosis
The Workshop for the Analysis of the Impact of Perkinsosis to the European Shellfish Industry was an International Workshop funded by the European Commission under the 6th Framework Program that took place September 12-14, 2007 in Vigo (Spain).
The Workshop brought together industry, research community and administration in a 3 day meeting to address the threat of perkinsosis to European shellfish industry.
Perkinsosis affects molluscs in the five continents, resulting in high mortality of some commercial species and huge economic impact. Some species of the genus Perkinsus (P. olseni and P. mediterraneus) are known to affect bivalve molluscs of the European coasts and other species (P. marinus, P. chesapeaki and P. honshuensis) are exotic to Europe.
Five thematic sessions each included an opening lecture followed by oral presentations and a final round table for open discussion that featured experts from other countries whose shellfish industries are deeply concerned with perkinsosis, such as USA, South Korea and Australia. Outcomes of the workshop are included in a specific publication to enhance its broad dissemination.
Main Topics
Session 1: Parasites of the genus Perkinsus. Life cycle and transmission ways; host species; taxonomy and phylogeny; physiology/metabolism; diagnostic tools.
Session 2. Epizootiology. Geographic range; environmental influence; temporal patterns of disease dynamics; modelling for prediction.
Session 3. Host-pathogen interaction. Host immune reaction; pathogen virulence factors; pathogen mechanisms to elude host response; effects on host physiology.
Session 4. Effects on shellfish industry. Socio-economic aspects of clam industry, with emphasis in Europe; losses due to Perkinsus in Europe and out of Europe; risk of introduction of exotic Perkinsus spp. into Europe through shellfish imports and other ways.
Session 5. Control and fighting strategies. International rules controlling mollusc traffic; selection programmes for resistance; production of Perkinsus-free seed; therapeutics; culture/fishery management; bed restoration.
Session 6. Conclusions. General conclusions, identified research priorities and recommendations to policy makers.