In the last few decades, farming different fish species in Israeli mariculture has gradually increased. This paper presents the results of the last 15 years of study that define the most significant fish pathogens and evaluate their seasonal or annual occurrence. During this survey, three new pathogens were detected, described, and entirely or partially characterized.
From its foundation, the Israeli fish farming industry chose intensification as its main development direction. Two factors influenced this decision: 1) the necessity of maximum land usage and 2) the shortage of water sources in Israel (Shilo and Sarig, 1989).
The results of the continuous intensification have shown a significant increase in average yield: 10-30 tons per hectare (data from the Association of Israeli Fish Breeders). Such achievement was a limiting factor for further development in conventional ponds and reservoirs. Because of this, the Israeli fish industry has invested in developing a marine culture in the Mediterranean Sea. The particular adaptation of offshore cage technology was used because of the very shallow Israeli coastline in the Mediterranean Sea.
Another advancement was establishing hatchery technology for larval production of various fish species (Gordin, 2003). The prevention and effective control of fish disease is significant for the success of Israeli marine culture.
We aimed to collect essential information about the most current health situation, study the spread and the prevalence of various agents, and evaluate their significance for developing a strategy to decrease the effects of the diseases. This report focuses on the most common pathogens (although three are reported for the first time in Israeli farms on the Mediterranean coast) in the different species examined in the Central Fish Health Laboratory in Nir David (CHFL) during a routine inspection or subsequent outbreaks. Finally, we have summarized the current situation.