Fish Health Branch USGS/Leetown Science Center Fish Health Branch 11649 Leetown Road Kearneysville, WV 25430 PHONE: (304) 724-4430 FAX: (304) 724-4435 Branch Chief: Frank Panek Staff • Research Studies • Directions

SCIENTIFIC FOCUS INTRODUCTION The Fish Health Branch investigates persistent and emergent health issues associated with genetics, pathogens and environmental stressors that undermine conservation and restoration of interjurisdictional populations including depleted, threatened, or endangered fishes and aquatic organisms.

VISION STATEMENT The Fish Health Branch conducts integrated research to understand and solve emerging and known disease problems, both infectious and non-infectious, affecting fish and other aquatic resources. Resolution of these health problems is accomplished through research utilizing a variety of disciplines including microbiology, parasitology, virology, immunology, histopathology, molecular biology, and aquatic toxicology for the purpose of providing science support for the Department of the Interior’s wise stewardship of natural resources.

RESEARCH CORE RESEARCH CAPABILITIES • Infectious diseases of fishes and other aquatic organisms Characterize infection, molecular pathogenesis and diseases processes in aquatic organisms as these factors relate to the host, pathogen, and environment. • Non-Infectious Diseases Investigate the role of contaminants and natural toxins in the etiology of immune and reproductive disorders, cancer, and endocrine disruption. • Microbial ecology Analyze the distribution, prevalence, and population dynamics of the microbial flora in aquatic ecosystems to monitor relationships of pathogenic and non-pathogenic organisms with biotic and abiotic factors of the environment. • Health assessment Conduct health assessments of fish and aquatic organisms to indicate population and ecosystem condition and/or change based on analysis of biological indicators of stress, epidemiology, development of indices, and predictive models. • Restoration and mitigation Develop and adapt genetic management and disease control strategies to enhance survival in the natural environment of depleted, threatened, and endangered populations of fishes and other aquatic organisms. • Emergency response Identify and evaluate significant contaminant and invasive microbial threats to aquatic resources and provide advice and direction or conduct containment and control. Fish Health Leaflets Fish Health Workshops Announcements