Contributing to Safety of Aquaculture Products and Production – Conclusion of a Related Coordinated Research Project (CRP)

A CRP D52039 on "Development and Strengthening of Radio-Analytical and Complementary Techniques to Control Residues of Veterinary Drugs and Related Chemicals in Aquaculture Products" initiated in June 2015 has now been concluded with the 4th and final Research Coordination Meeting (RCM) hosted virtually at the IAEA Headquarters in Vienna, Austria between 1 and 5 March 2021. The physical meeting was postponed from 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The CRP involved 15 research contract and agreement holders from: Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Cameroon, Canada, Ecuador, China PR, Lebanon, Netherlands, Nigeria, Singapore, South Africa, Turkey and Uganda. Twenty-three participants from these Member States and the IAEA Secretariat attended this meeting. The purpose of the final RCM was to review individual and group work done including application of research findings to national programmes and the mechanism for transfer of the technology to other Member States as well as determining impact of the CRP. The scope of the meeting and expectations covered power point presentations, discussions and provision of feedback from other participants, and preparation of a final report. Findings: Overall, expected outputs and outcome were realized and the CRP has been of significant benefit to Member States. In total 36 methods were developed and validated; 36 standard operating procedures (SOPs) prepared, and 19 papers or scientific reports produced. These have contributed to improved analytical technology that is transferable and supports the testing and monitoring of residues and contaminants in aquaculture products and production sites. In eight countries, the established analytical methods have been applied to national residue monitoring programmes both for aquaculture products consumed locally including imports, as well as exports