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Olympia Fish Health Center

   

Objectives

  • Microscopic examination Provide National Fish Health Policy Guidance to Service hatcheries
  • Provide fish health technical services to Service hatcheries
    • Certification and pathogen surveys
    • Diagnosis and troubleshooting of fish health problems
    • Investigate disease and pathogen control measures
    • INAD coordination and monitoring
    • Provide recommendations to prevent and control diseases
    • Provide fish health training and prepare fish health courses
  • Fish health technical assistance to other entities
    • Other Federal agencies and offices (NMFS, BPA, BOR, etc.)
    • Tribes - Yakama and Colville – Others on a case-by-case basis
    • Sampling tissues of adult salmon States - On case-by-case basis or if State does not have capability
    • Private commercial aquaculture - If no fish health provider is available
  • National Wild Fish Health Survey
    • Working with Partners to test wild populations for important pathogens

Capabilities 

  • Microbiology:  Infectious agent isolation and identification
    • Virology: Isolation using tissue culture, serological and genetic identification tools
    • Bacteriology: Isolation and identification by biochemistry, serology and genetic tools.
    • Parasitology:  Microscopic and morphological identification; selected genetic testing 
    • Specialized capabilities: Enzyme-linked immunosorbant assays; DNA-probe analysis;Treating fish with approved chemicals fluorescent antibody testing; PCR and QPCR testing; antibiotic sensitivity testing and tissue residues.
  • Histology:  Infectious and noninfectious agent identification by specialized histochemical and microscopic examination of tissues
    • Morphologic characterization of pathogens and tissue changes due infectious agents.
    • Pathology of tissues and cells due to toxins, environment or nutritional causes.
    • Specialized capabilities:  Paraffin and plastic embedding and sectioning; access to electron microscopy; specialized biological staining techniques
  • Physiology:  Blood serum chemistry testing to determine physiological health and/or fitness for anadromy.
  • On-site examinations and inspections of fish populations
    • Diagnostic microscopic examinations for specific fish health problems
    • Disease surveys and/or certifications for regulatory pathogens
    • Specialized capabilities: Extensive knowledge and experience in fish culture and related fish health problems

Wild Fish Health SurveyPresent Staffing (in alphabetical order):

Ray Brunson:  Center Director – Supervisory Fishery Biologist, Certified Fish Pathologist, AFS, Fish Health Section, field diagnostician, microbiologist 
Dr. Joy Evered:  Veterinary Medical Officer – Field diagnostician, federally accredited veterinarian, fish pathology, Regional Investigational New Animal Drug (INAD) coordinator 
Dr. Sonia Mumford: Veterinary Medical Officer – Wild Fish Health Coordinator, federally accredited veterinarian, histopathology, field diagnostician,  
John "Chris" Patterson: Laboratory Manager, microbiology and molecular biology 
Donna Gallup :  Administrative Officer – Budget analysis, office administration, payroll, personnel, purchasing, editorial assistant 
Vacant:  Biologist:  Interdisciplinary position specializing in fish health  

For more information please contact:

Olympia Fish Health Center
3859 Martin Way E, Suite 101
Olympia, WA 98501

Phone: 360-753-9046
Fax: 360-753-9403