According to the public relations of Iran Fisheries Science Research Institute, the second meeting on aquatic vaccines production were held in the meeting hall of the Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization, with the presence of Dr. Bazargan, Deputy Minister and Head of Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization, Dr. Khon Mirzaei, Deputy Minister and Head of Iranian Fisheries Organization, Dr. Bahmani, Head of Iranian Fisheries Science Research Institute, Dr. Eshaqi, Head of Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Dr. Khoshkholq Sima, Director of Agricultural Biotechnology Research Institute, Dr. Soltani, Professor at the University of Tehran, Dr. Kolahchi, Representative of Vice Presidency for Science and Technology, Dr. Tajabadi, CEO of Tak Zhen Zist Company, Dr. Motalebi and Dr. Sepahdari, Head of the Aquatic Health and Diseases Department, and a group of researchers in the field of fisheries and aquaculture.
Dr. Bahmani, while presenting a comprehensive report on events and results of the first meeting held at Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, said: "The formation of the National Committee for Aquatic Vaccine Research and Development is very necessary and to maintain strong management of this committee, the private sector is operating and the existing substructure and facilities in Razi Institute and other research institutes are the research support of this sector.
He added: “It seems, Veterinary Organization as the secretariat and the main axis of this committee, Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization as a coordinator and supervisor, Iranian Fisheries Organization as a supporter, Iranian Fisheries Science Research Institute, universities and Agricultural Biotechnology Research Institute as supporters for research and development, Vice Presidency for Science and Technology as the support for commercialization and the private sector as an investor and producer will participate in this issue. The representative of the Program and Budget Organization can also be present at these meetings.
According to Dr. Bahmani, considering the average of 500,000 tons of annual production of aquaculture, the turnover from this market will be more than 15,000 billion tomans. Therefore, the use of vaccines in this industry is of high importance and prevents probable damages.
40 countries around the world use the aquatic vaccines
Dr. Motalebi, referring to the fact that 40 countries around the world are currently using aquatic vaccines, said: "It is necessary to use different vaccines in farming aquatic animals just as in livestock and poultry farming to make the beneficiary, use the vaccine. In this case, the beneficiaries will produce in a safer environment and there will be no problem for the produced vaccines, and the private sector will be encouraged to invest in this field with more confidence.
The head of Iranian Fisheries Organization also said: "Although in 1398 we had a production about 526 thousand tons in the aquaculture sector, but according to the written plan, this production should reach one million tons in 1404."
Dr. Khon Mirzaei, after comparing aquaculture with chicken and red meat production, added: "The diversity of species in domestic aquaculture is much higher than it in developed countries such as Norway; Meanwhile, at the time being, Iran ranks first in Trout production, 13th in shrimp production, 5th in warmwater fish production and 2nd in Acipenseridae production. Therefore, due to the diversity of species and the increase in the production of farmed aquatic animals until 1404, it is very necessary to address the subject of vaccines
Dr. Soltani, a professor at the University of Tehran, while presenting the report on academic activities about vaccines, stated: "There is significant information about aquatic vaccines in the university research department, some of which have been licensed and some will be launched in near future
Comparing the amount of damage to aquaculture production in some countries before and after the use of vaccines, he added: "If the vaccine is not used by the user, the production complex will be economically badly affected and the spread of diseases will have devastating impacts on nature.
Dr. Kolahchi, the representative of Vice Presidency for Science and Technology, continued: "Focusing on taking private companies into account and supporting them is a part of the Vice Presidency’s work plans. Experienced and powerful individuals and companies were recognized and supported in this field.”
He added: "According to the prioritization, the production of bacterial vaccines is the first priority and the production of vaccines related to viral diseases such as VHS is the second priority."
Dr. Tajabadi, a representative of the private sector, while appreciating the cooperation of Iranian Fisheries Science Research Institute in producing technical knowledge related to aquatic animals, said: "The success achieved, especially in the production of probiotics, is indebted to the efforts of fisheries researchers and the university sector. Therefore, these collaborations can be very effective for the production of vaccines.”
Dr. Khoshkholq Sima, the director of the Agricultural Biotechnology Research Institute, declaring her readiness for cooperating with Iranian Fisheries Science Research Institute, emphasized on increasing cooperation and synergy between the responsible agencies and the private sector.
Dr. Sepahdari, Head of the Aquatic Health and Diseases Department of the Institute, stated:
“precipitance in production, has deferred the vaccination matter; While the importance of this input is not less than the others. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a written program and increase the synergy of the relevant departments for this purpose.
Dr. Javadi, Deputy Minister of Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization, while emphasizing the purposeful movement in this direction based on needs, said: "Now in cage fish farming sector, there is a deficit of vaccines and we desperately need to produce it; If this problem can be solved, a big step will be taken in this direction.”
Dr. Bazargan, Deputy Minister and Head of the Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization, in summarizing the presented materials, while praising the Fisheries Science Research Institute for coordinating and holding this meeting, said: “Lack of vaccine reduces yields in farms. Therefore, if we look at the issue from a national perspective, supporting the production of vaccines is extremely important.
He added: "Fisheries sector, due to the existence of the sea in the north and south of the country, has potential capacities to create jobs for the country."
He emphasized: “In addition to job creation, one should also think about promoting the consumption of aquatic animals in the society. Because the consumption of aquatic products ensures the health of society in general.”
Furthermore, Dr. Maken Ali, the head of the country's Veterinary Organization, while supporting the production of aquatic vaccines in the country, said: “The veterinary organization is fully prepared to update the development of a national program for breeding species that need to produce vaccines for; In addition, comprehensive programs have been written to control aquatic diseases, including white spot disease, which can be implemented in cooperation with the Fisheries Science Research Institute.” In conclusion, Dr. Bazargan, emphasizing the formation of the Steering Committee for sustainable development of aquatic vaccines, suggested that the Fisheries Organization of Iran as the custodian of aquaculture development and the Veterinary Organization as the custodian of control and prevention of aquatic diseases in the roles of chairman and secretary of the committee, to take care of the relevant affairs and explaining the position of various relevant institutions to be organized and the mentioned com