STATE, REGIONAL, NATIONAL, AND INTERNATIONAL AQUATIC ANIMAL HEALTH POLICIES: FOCUS FOR FUTURE AQUACULTURE BIOSECURITY A. David Scarfe American Veterinary Medical Association, 1931 N. Meacham Rd., Suite 100, Schaumburg, Illinois 60173-4360, USA E-mail: DScarfe@avma.org ABSTRACT Biosecurity is a key requirement for future development and expansion of aquaculture. With the decline of harvest fisheries, and recognition that aquaculture is the fastest growing major sector of animal agriculture, the concern for aquatic animal diseases is increasing. Biosecurity encompasses, and is the foundation for, all policy, regulatory, and program frame- works (including instruments and activities) in response to managing risks associated with aquatic animal diseases. Although the definition of biosecurity is evolving, responses include prevention, control, and possible eradication of adverse biological events. To be comprehen- sive, biosecurity responses need to encompass commercial and non-commercial aquaculture, wild and cultured (farmed or domestic) aquatic populations, and address animal and plant health, public health (zoonoses), seafood safety, and environmental health (ecological disrup- tion). Aquatic animal disease policies, regulations, and programs are being initiated, in recog- nition that that diseased animal and product movements, for trade or other reasons, can se- verely impact or decimate populations, countries, regions, states, and individual operations. To be maximally effective, frameworks for aquatic animal biosecurity policies and programs need to be harmonized (consistent) at all levels and with those addressing other animal or species groups. Frameworks can be built using, adapting, and uniformly integrating principles and examples of existing policies and other existing instruments. These principles include utilizing rational economic and socio-political science-based decision-making that is transpar- ent, well publicized, and vertically and horizontally harmonized using standardized and uni- form methods to identify existing aquaculture biohazards, current capabilities and expertise, and uniformly applying risk-assessment approaches. Uniform application of biosecurity prin- ciples provide the framework for harmonized biosecurity policies, plans, and programs at the local, regional, national, and international level and are likely to lead to greater protection from adverse biological effects and the development of aquaculture. INTRODUCTION Biosecurity in aquaculture production may be viewed as a program for protecting cultured or managed populations of aquatic organisms from harmful effects of introduced diseases, although it is gaining a much wider interpretation. Generally, plans for protecting agriculture operations and commodities have been in place for some time, and some of the principles of Scarfe 233 Lee, C.-S., and O’Bryen, P.J. editors. 2003. Biosecurity in Aquaculture Production Systems: Exclusion of Pathogens and Other Undesirables. The World Aquaculture Society, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States.