Fish Pathogens: An Ongoing Challenge for Aquaculture

Dear Colleagues,

The growing global demand for seafood, coupled with the limited capacity of the wild-caught sector to meet this demand, has led to continued growth of the aquaculture industry around the world. According to FAO data, global aquaculture production has already exceeded that of wild-caught fish, providing approximately half of global fish consumption. Fish pathogens pose significant challenges to the aquaculture industry. These pathogens refer to a series of microorganisms that can cause fish diseases during the aquaculture process, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, etc. They can seriously affect the growth, development, and yield of farmed fish, and even lead to mass fish mortality, affecting the sustainability of aquaculture practices and causing huge economic losses to the aquaculture industry. Insights into the molecular machinations of virulence factors employed by these pathogens will be pivotal in unraveling their pathogenicity and devising targeted therapeutic or preventive strategies. Moreover, a comprehensive understanding of the economic dimensions of fish diseases, encompassing both direct production losses and broader market impacts, will be crucial for informing sustainable aquaculture practices and policy interventions.

This Special Issue aims to collect the latest research on fish pathogens, elucidating their impacts, significance, and current research focuses. This call for submissions extends to researchers engaged in marine and freshwater aquaculture, recognizing the global significance of fish pathogens across diverse aquatic environments. Contributions elucidating the molecular intricacies of the host–pathogen interplay, deciphering virulence determinants, and assessing the economic ramifications of fish diseases are particularly encouraged. We eagerly anticipate the submission of your latest findings, poised to enrich our collective understanding of fish pathogens and pave the way for innovative solutions to safeguard the future of aquaculture.

Dr. Pantelis Katharios
Dr. Bitchava Konstantina
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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• aquaculture pathogens
• host–pathogen interactions
• virulence factors
• economic burden of fish diseases