Task Force III

Antimicrobial resistance

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

SCIENCE LEADERSHIP

Dr. Max Troell

Associate Professor, Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University Program Director and Senior Researcher, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences

Dr. Patrik Henriksson

Assistant Professor, Leiden University; Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University; the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences

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.

Goals agreed to in October 2020

1. Establish a roadmap by October 2021 to identify ways to significantly reduce and/or phase out from aquaculture operations “High Priority Critically Important Antimicrobials for human health, and Critically Important Antimicrobials for human health” as defined by WHO. As part of that process, SeaBOS will develop a recommended Code of Conduct for antibiotic use including preventive practices, recommended therapeutic treatments, and collaborative, pre-competitive Research & Development by October 2021; and contribute with higher resolution data enabling refinement of the conducted antibiotic survey of SeaBOS members; and establish collaborations and exchanges with relevant expert organisations towards identifying alternative approaches.(Note: see resulting Antibiotics Stewardship Roadmap)

Goals agreed in October 2021

1. Agree to the stepwise process of the road map proposed in this paper that will form a “SeaBOS Antibiotics Code of Conduct” by October 2022

2. Agree that the scope of the SeaBOS Antibiotics Code of Conduct includes members’ own  operations and to extend that into their supply chains engaged in aquaculture and feed production

3. Agree to cease the use of HPCIA and CIA* in all areas of aquaculture production where their use is not specifically enabled through national legislation**

4. Agree to a virtual workshop in February 2022 to refine the actions required and the metrics to demonstrate progress

5. Agree to engage with annual SRC surveys on antibiotics stewardship in our own aquaculture operations, including from supply chains engaged in aquaculture production, to monitor and measure progress

* HPCIA and CIA = High Priority Critically Important Antimicrobial and Critically Important Antimicrobial for human health, as defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

** Where region-specific national legislation does exist providing for the use of HPCIAs or CIAs, members will work collaboratively with a range of appropriate experts, such as pharmaceutical companies, veterinarians, intergovernmental agencies, or governmental departments, to determine or develop effective alternatives such as vaccines or lower category antimicrobials, to ensure the health and wellbeing of those seafood products and reduce the use of HPCIAs and CIAs. We will report back in October 2023 on progress towards this goal.

Key publications

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

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.

CEO Sponsors

Dr Sujint Thammasart

COO, CP Foods

Lead companies

Lead scientific institutions

ALL TASK FORCES

TASK FORCE I

Adressing 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

Biodiversity and Ecosystems

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

Antimicrobial resistance

To work with governments towards sustainable seafood production, as well as mechanisms to reduce antibiotics in aquaculture.

Task Force IV

Climate resilience

To identify global solutions to the impacts of climate change on sustainable seafood production, as well as the ability of seafood production for humanity, along with a healthy ocean, to play a role in the mitigation of, and adaptation to, climate change impacts.

Task Force V

Reducing ocean plastics

To identify ways to improve ocean health through removal and prevention of plastics into the marine environment as well as re-use, recycling and alternative materials.