Oceans & Human Health

Tania Siemens, Tim Miller-Morgan

Sea Grant topical page

Issues we address

• Invasive species
• Clean boating/Clean Vessel Act
• Safety at sea
• Pharmaceuticals from the sea
• Pharmaceuticals in water supply
• Antibiotics in ornamental fish

Watershed vs. Coastal Focus?

• Overlapping and interconnected
• Importance of regional approaches to addressing invasives
• Partnering with local centers, councils, etc. to train teachers about invasive species

Ornamental fish health

• We work to improve animal health and husbandry all over the world because that’s where the fish come
• SE Asia is main source of fish – and they are increasingly antibiotic-resistant, and carrying disease bacteria which include human pathogens – and which may also be antibiotic-resistant
• Antibiotic resistance tends to come with cultured, not wild ornamentals

Other SG projects

• Community based social marketing to educate boaters about clean water/pumpout stations – and potentially other subjects (invasive species transport)

We could address

• Acidification
• Dead zone
• Tsunami debris
• Bioaccumulation and seafood safety
• Emerging viral and regulatory issues related to ornamental and food fish imports and exports.