Task Force III

Reducing antibiotics use

The inappropriate use of antibiotics in aquaculture threatens both human health and marine ecosystems through its contribution to potential antimicrobial resistance (AMR). SeaBOS is leveraging science and cooperative stewardship to enable transformative change in antibiotics use across global aquaculture operations.

Task force leaders

Henrik Duesund

Global Fish Health Manager, Cermaq

Contact

SeaBOS aims to minimise antibiotics use by improving overall health management in aquaculture, adopting preventative practices, and implementing a Code of Conduct for responsible antibiotics use. Through data collection, enhanced farm management practices, disease diagnostics, and the development of preventative strategies and resources like vaccines, we strive to promote transparency and accountability. We work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders, including pharmaceutical companies, veterinarians, intergovernmental agencies, and government departments, to develop and improve stewardship and alternatives to antibiotics.

By October 2021, outline a roadmap to phase out high-risk antibiotics from aquaculture and develop an antibiotic use Code of Conduct.
Enhance antibiotic survey data and collaborate with expert organizations on alternatives.
Agree to a roadmap for establishing a “SeaBOS Antibiotics Code of Conduct” by
October 2022.
Extend the Code’s scope to member operations and aquaculture supply
chains.
Cease the use of HPCIA and CIA in aquaculture unless permitted by national
legislation. Commit to annual antibiotic stewardship
surveys to monitor progress.

Our actions & impact (2023)

To reduce antibiotics use, SeaBOS has been developing a Code of Conduct and a roadmap for implementation by our members. In addition, annual reporting of antibiotics usage has been a priority to better inform science and practice on antibiotics in seafood production.

Road Map for Reducing Antibiotic Use

9/9

Shared High-Resolution Data with Scientists

6/9

Impact:

Reducing antibiotics use

In the concerted effort to reduce antibiotic use in aquaculture, SeaBOS member companies have leveraged collective initiatives and individual actions. A standout example in Japan involves Nissui, Maruha Nichiro, and Kyokuyo.

This collaboration has the companies joining forces with pharmaceutical company Kyoritsu Seiyaku, government agencies, and the Japan Fisheries Research and Education Agency. Their collective aim is to reduce antibiotic use and develop vaccines that enable transfer away from HPCIAs.

Advocating responsible antibiotic use

Thai Union has undertaken a project to advocate responsible antibiotic use among Thai shrimp farms, underpinned by a stringent quality assurance system and a policy prohibiting the use of WHO-listed critical antibiotics. They’ve also implemented the SeaBOS tools, such as the Code of Conduct, in their risk management procedures.

Undertaking awareness projects

Skretting has undertaken an awareness project in Vietnam, focusing on the responsible use of antibiotics and addressing antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This project includes training and a medicine calculator app to provide appropriate dosing recommendations.

Reducing the need for medicated treatments

Cargill focuses on continuous development of feeds that enhance animal health and welfare, thereby reducing the need for medicated treatments. Antibiotics are only applied in feeds under direction of a veterinary prescription.

Investing in vaccine research

Cermaq invests in vaccine research for salmonid diseases and screens broodfish against pathogens, only resorting to antibiotics when prescribed by a veterinarian.

Science outlook

Scope, scale and urgency of action

Antibiotic use has contributed to the spread of antimicrobial resistance, an emerging public health crisis estimated by the United Nations to result in up to 10 million deaths annually by 2050. While antibiotics enable greater food production and have importance for animal welfare, considerable scope exists to limit usage by reducing misuse and over-application around the world. Over longer timeframes, the development of vaccines can reduce dependency on antibiotics; in Norway, for instance, vaccines have resulted in the virtual elimination of antibiotics in salmon aquaculture production. Over 600 species are in aquaculture production around the world, but vast gaps exist in knowledge about the quantity and type of antibiotics used in these diverse production systems, hampering action and progress.

Pathways forward

The improper use of antibiotics in aquaculture results in the loss of efficacy of antimicrobials crucial for human healthcare. Focusing on reducing and eventually eliminating the need for Critically Important Antimicrobials for Human Medicine, as identified by the World Health Organization is a crucial priority. A focus on responsible antibiotic use and overall health management is indispensable to ensure the sustainable future of the aquaculture industry. Companies can contribute by providing transparent accessibility of data, engaging in vaccine development, and contributing to eliminating vast knowledge gaps about the frequency and prevalence of antimicrobial resistant genes in production systems around the world.

*Predicted mortality from AMR compared to common causes of death today (United Nations Environment Programme 2023, adapted from O’Neill 2016; Murray et al. 2022).*

Case studies

Collaboration for vaccine development

Nissui, Maruha Nichiro and Kyokuyo are working together with Japanese government oﬃces and the pharmaceutical industry in Japan to reduce antibiotics use and develop vaccines that enable a transfer away from the use of highest priority critically important antibiotics (HPCIA).

Establishment of Roadmap and Code of Conduct

The SeaBOS Antibiotics Code of Conduct provides strategies for maintaining ﬁsh health and welfare
and reducing use of antibiotics through preventative practices and interventions. Furthermore, the SeaBOS Antibiotic Stewardship Roadmap guides members in the phasing out of HPCIA and CIA in line with World Health Organization (WHO) standards.

Key publications

CEO Sponsors

Dr Sujint Thammasart

COO, CP Foods

Lead companies

Lead scientific institutions

ALL TASK FORCES

TASK FORCE I

Reducing IUU fishing and eliminating modern slavery

Contributing to the elimination of IUU fishing and forced labour in seafood production, and mitigating the impacts on endangered species.

Task Force II

Advancing protection of endangered species

Healthy ocean ecosystems and rich biodiversity are vital components of ocean stewardship. This Task Force focuses on developing practices that minimize impacts of seafood production on endangered species, and to develop solutions that enhance marine ecosystems.

Task Force III