De la maladie au bien-être, 20 ans d’évolution de la perception de la pathologie chez le loup d’élevage (Dicentrarchus labrax)

By looking at the common thread between 4 programs* in which the IFREMER Palavas (34, Languedoc-Roussillon region in France) station took part, this report show the evolution over 20 years in the perception of the pathology of farmed fish, and of the sea bass in particular (Dicentrarchus labrax). During the 1990’s farming techniques became sufficiently reliable to enable to distinguish between problems of a zootechnical nature and those with a pathological origin. In anticipation of future illnesses, the necessary tools and monitoring were implemented in order to study the immune system of the sea bass. These methods arose from the recent creation of anti-immunoglobin monoclonal probes in the sea bass. These techniques, together with others, served to search for a solution to the nodavirus epidemic which struck in1996. In the absence of a cure for this virus, the research focused on knowledge of the virus, its epidemiology and vaccine development. Despite interesting scientific results, the solution withheld to curb the Nodavirus epidemic was zootechnical. This pragmatic outcome catalysed reflections on the role of pathology, leading to notions of health, animal well-being and image. Management choices in the health of farmed fish stocks became a parameter, amongst others, included in a global commercial and farming policy. * Définition des critères d’évaluation de l’immunocompétente chez le loup et le turbot. UMR1 Université Montpellier II IFREMER ; Nodavirus disease of cultured marine fish in Europe. FAIR PL98 4036 EU; Recherche de moyens de dépistage et prévention de la nodavirose du bar. ANVAR 9804041J ; Welfare and Health in Sustainable Aquaculture WEALTH. E.U N°501984.