97
Chapter 6
Welfare and Diseases Under Culture
Conditions
António V. Sykes and Camino Gestal
J. Iglesias et al. (eds.), Cephalopod Culture, DOI 10.1007/978-94-017-8648-5_6,
© Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2014
A. V. Sykes ()
CCMAR-CIMAR L.A., Centro de Ciências do Mar do Algarve, Universidade do Algarve,
Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139, Faro, Portugal
e-mail: asykes@ualg.pt
C. Gestal
Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas (IIM), CSIC, Eduardo Cabello 6,
36208, Vigo, Spain
e-mail: cgestal@iim.csic.es
Abstract This chapter reviews the welfare and diseases that have been reported
since cephalopods are maintained, reared or cultured in captivity. Although cephalopod welfare is only going to be assured in terms of the European Union (EU) legislation from January 2013, it has long been enforced in other regions or countries all
over the world. Pathologies registered under captive conditions derive, most of the
times, from bad welfare practices. A revision of cephalopods’ immune system and
the most important pathologies are presented, which are divided into viral, bacterial,
fungal and parasitic pathogenic agents as well as chemical and mechanical damages.
In addition, information regarding healing, antibiotics application and surgery is
provided. Welfare under research and commercial culture conditions is discussed in
terms of the use of anaesthesia and euthanasia agents and their assessment in terms
of effectiveness. Further research on the different aspects considered is suggested.
Keywords Welfare and diseases under research and culture conditions · Cephalopods
immune system · Pathological agents · Mechanical and chemical damage · Healing ·
Antibiotics and surgery
6.1 Welfare in Cephalopods Under Captive Conditions
6.1.1 Legislation
According to Ohl and van der Staay (2012), animal welfare is a complex concept
which needs to have a scientific definition. These authors define positive welfare as
Chapter 6
Welfare and Diseases Under Culture
Conditions
António V. Sykes and Camino Gestal
J. Iglesias et al. (eds.), Cephalopod Culture, DOI 10.1007/978-94-017-8648-5_6,
© Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2014
A. V. Sykes ()
CCMAR-CIMAR L.A., Centro de Ciências do Mar do Algarve, Universidade do Algarve,
Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139, Faro, Portugal
e-mail: asykes@ualg.pt
C. Gestal
Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas (IIM), CSIC, Eduardo Cabello 6,
36208, Vigo, Spain
e-mail: cgestal@iim.csic.es
Abstract This chapter reviews the welfare and diseases that have been reported
since cephalopods are maintained, reared or cultured in captivity. Although cephalopod welfare is only going to be assured in terms of the European Union (EU) legislation from January 2013, it has long been enforced in other regions or countries all
over the world. Pathologies registered under captive conditions derive, most of the
times, from bad welfare practices. A revision of cephalopods’ immune system and
the most important pathologies are presented, which are divided into viral, bacterial,
fungal and parasitic pathogenic agents as well as chemical and mechanical damages.
In addition, information regarding healing, antibiotics application and surgery is
provided. Welfare under research and commercial culture conditions is discussed in
terms of the use of anaesthesia and euthanasia agents and their assessment in terms
of effectiveness. Further research on the different aspects considered is suggested.
Keywords Welfare and diseases under research and culture conditions · Cephalopods
immune system · Pathological agents · Mechanical and chemical damage · Healing ·
Antibiotics and surgery
6.1 Welfare in Cephalopods Under Captive Conditions
6.1.1 Legislation
According to Ohl and van der Staay (2012), animal welfare is a complex concept
which needs to have a scientific definition. These authors define positive welfare as