Together with the increase in Mediterranean aquaculture production in recent years, the number

of diseases diagnosed and pathogens detected among farmed aquatic species has also increased

considerably. In order to control diseases and to improve production, farmers use various external

resources including chemicals, veterinary drugs, vaccines, immunostimulants, etc. Although important

developments have been achieved in vaccine production, some operations still depend on the use

of veterinary drugs, and responding to the increasing concerns of environmental sustainability and

consumer preference for safe food the sector has begun to realize the potential risk associated with the

irresponsible use of these products.

In May 2003 an International Seminar on "The use of veterinary drugs and vaccines in Mediterranean

aquaculture" was jointly organized by the CIHEAM and the FAO in Izmir (Turkey), with the collaboration

of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of Turkey, and the Turkish Fisheries Foundation. The

seminar reviewed and compiled a significant amount of valuable information on the subject. This

publication contains 17 of the 24 contributions presented at the Seminar, dealing with different topics

related to disease management in aquaculture. Considering the quality of the manuscripts and the

fact that most of the information provided is still relevant six years on, this publication is an important

reference on the subject, in particular for the Mediterranean, where there is a lack of information in this

field of expertise.