Abdul Rahman bin Abdul Mohsen Al-Fadhli, Saudi Minister of Environment, launched the Aquatic Animal Diseases Network in the Middle East in Riyadh earlier this week as reported by the Saudi Press Agency.
This new and specific network has invigorated and strengthen the aquaculture industry and the role of aquatic and marine species in food production, with a view to contain the spread of marine diseases to guarantee sustainable growth in the Middle East’s aquaculture production.
The Aquatic Animal Diseases Network will also train veterinarians and marine life specialists, as well as connect and create a dialogue with international organizations providing aquatic health services.
Members of the network already include countries bordering the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf, including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Somalia, Sudan, the UAE and Yemen.
The new marine dedicated network was announced in the presence of Dr. Monique Eloit, director general of the World Organization for Animal Health. The kingdom along with the newly established organization are partnering up on a number oseveralincluding Saudi’s rabies, foot-and-mouth disease and peste des petits ruminants programs, as well as working together to improve veterinary services in the Kingdom, and launching a veterinary laboratory twinning program with reference laboratories in France and Italy.
