News
Heavy losses incurred by Pera Uni’s Aquatic Animal Disease Diagnosis and Research Centre
View(s):By L. B. Senaratne
Peradeniya University’s Centre for Aquatic Animal Disease Diagnosis and Research (CAADDR) has lost most of its research documents, which are irreplaceable, along with valuable equipment, during the recent floods which invaded their research laboratories located on the banks of the Mahaweli within the campus.
The CAADDR was established in 2007 in partnership with the National Aquaculture Development Authority (NAQDA) under the Asian Development Bank-funded Aquatic Resource Development and Quality Improvement Project (ARDQIP).
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- Students at work at the centre just a day before the floods
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- The damage done to the research centre
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- Some of the fish that were being tested for diseases have been washed away
The Head of the Department of Veterinary Pathobiology and coordinator of the centre, Dr. Samanthika Jagoda, told The Sunday Times that herself together with the staff are in the process of calculating the losses and damages to the lab and equipment, which she says could amount to 250 million Rupees.
The figure excludes consumables, reagents and diagnostic test kits.
The biggest issue, she said, is that the fish in the tanks which were to be tested for diseases have got washed away with the rainwater. This is dangerous as they could cohabit with healthy fish and infect them.
The CAADDR plays a crucial role in supporting the aquaculture and fisheries sector, and in the past they have played a critical and pioneering role in the early detection of fish, shrimp and crab diseases in the country, while providing accurate and reliable diagnosis, said Dr. Jagoda.
Dr. Jagoda added that their services enhance market access for ornamental fish exporters and ensure sustainability in the seafood Industry.
Dr. Jagoda also said that apart from research and testing they are training researchers who wish to develop a career in aquatic animal health management. She said that at the moment six students are being supported through the United Kingdom’s Blue Planet-funded Ocean Country Partnership Programme Scholarships, and are pursuing their master’s degrees at CAADDR related to shrimp and mud crab health.
Dr. Jagoda said that these six research students have to continue studies uninterrupted and this is a priority.
She said that the ground floor of the two storey building including the tanks carrying fish had been invaded by floodwaters by the morning of November 28, and critical lab equipment were submerged, including freezers valued at 10 million Rupees each, diagnostic equipment and reagents.
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