Incidents reported with dusky grouper specimens due to viral pathogens - Communication

Secretaria Regional do Mar e das Pescas

The Regional Secretariat for the Sea and Fisheries, through its two regional directorates (Regional Directorate for Fisheries and Regional Directorate for Maritime Policies) and the Flores Island Service, has been monitoring the incidents reported among the wild populations of dusky groupers (Epinephelus marginatus) in the Azores since last September.

The (Regional Directorate for Fisheries has set up a protocol for monitoring and identifying the etiological agent(s) responsible with the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere, I.P. (IPMA), through its Aquatic Animal Pathology Laboratory.

The screening for potential pathogens, namely parasites and/or viral agents as well as the detection of biotoxins, was completed today.

Accordingly, the Regional Government of the Azores informs the population about the results of specialised necropsies and complementary diagnostic tests.

The dusky grouper specimens died as a result of a viral pathogen responsible for retinopathy and viral encephalopathy, i.e. they died as a result of a virus that destroys the central nervous system and the eye.

The viral outbreak occurred in adult specimens infected with parasites after the breeding season, compounded by additional physiological stress from rising seawater temperatures. Due to a combination of various factors, their immune systems became weakened.

This disease is not infectious and cannot be transmitted to humans. Nevertheless, The public is advised to continue following the Government's guidance, specifically to refrain from consuming this species.

In the event of sightings of dusky groupers on the surface of the water or specimens washed up on coastal areas, citizens must access the centralised registration platform to collaborate with the Regional Government in systematising sightings and their geographical position in the Azores archipelago (https://e-form.azores.gov.pt/formulario/447).

The dusky grouper fishery will remain banned to continue the monitoring work to collect additional information from the competent authorities and the scientific community that will ensure that the management plan for this resource can be adapted to this emerging pressure