ECONOMIC IMPACT OF DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES PROVIDED BY KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY FISH DISEASE DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORY

Data were collected via a 2014-2015 follow-up survey of Kentucky State University Fish Disease Diagnostic Lab (KSU FDDL) clients regarding the effectiveness of recommended disease treatments.  Survey questions were designed to determine the cost-effectiveness of the services provided by KSU FDDL.  The study will show that utilizing Kentucky State University fish health professionals can reduce the economic burden of disease caused mortality, diagnostic, and treatment costs on fish farms.  Disease treatments were recommended for the stakeholders (Research-67%, Producers-21%, Hobbyists- 7%, Fish and Wildlife - 2%, Pay Lakes - 1%) and fish mortality was recorded before and after treatment application.  Treatment costs and the potential value of moribund fish were used to determine the economic consequences of fish disease.   The most commonly occurring diseases were caused by bacteria (65%), followed by parasites (18%), fungus (9%), and environmental conditions (7%).    Results show that fish mortality was reduced in most cases after the recommended treatment was applied.  Hence, the data indicated that using recommended treatments can be directly beneficial to clients by reducing fish mortality.