Introduction to the Gill Health Workshop

The gills of fish serve a multiplicity of functions that support the overall health of the organism. They are the active interface between the external and internal environments of the fish. Gills not only serve as barriers to particle movement between environments, they also serve as the main organ indicator of whole animal health that is visible to the fish culturist. By understanding the fundamental structure and function of the gill, culturists and fish health practitioners view a window of individual and herd health. This workshop reviewed the structure and function of the gill architecture, physiological operation, changes in the parr-smolt transition, and the indicators of optimal animal health. Over both days, the assemblies reviewed the local existing and emergent pathogens and effectors now present in BC fresh and salt waters. Local and international experts discussed the indicators of optimal gill health, illustrated the state of the art for care and prevention of pathogens and harmful agents, identified knowledge gaps, and recommend research opportunities for further work.