1. BIVALIFE Management of infectious diseases in oysters and mussels in Europe Kick off meeting Issy les Moulineaux - 7 & 8 April 2011

2. FP7-KBBE-2010-4 KBBE.2010.1.2-08: Improving European mollusc aquaculture: disease detection and management Expected impact: The European added value lies in the project´s contribution to improving competitiveness and sustainability of the mollusc industry. It will help managing the disease in the different culture situations throughout Europe. It will also contribute to a more efficient control of mortality levels and health status of cultured molluscs, taking into consideration the specificities and culture methods of each species concerned. Last but not least, it will provide solution for improved biosecurity of mollusc hatcheries.

3. Participants : 12 - Ifremer, France (coordinator) - Cefas, Weymouth, UK (S. Feist and M. Longshaw) - CSIC, Vigo, Spain - Central Veterinary Institute of Wageningen, The Netherlands - Marine Institute, Galway, Ireland - University Cork, Ireland - Department of Biology, University of Genoa, Italy - IRTA, Spain - University of Padova, Italy - CNRS, Brest and Montpellier, France -Atlantium, Israël - EMPA (European Mollusc Producers Association), Paris, France

4. Présence relativement homogène des pathogènes identifiés BIVALIFE – General objectives The two core objectives of BIVALIFE are : (i)to provide innovative knowledge related to pathogens infecting oysters and mussels; (ii)to develop practical approaches for the control of infectious diseases and resulting mortality outbreaks these pathogens induce.

5. Présence relativement homogène des pathogènes identifiés BIVALIFE - Specific objectives (i)Improve, validate and transfer existing methods for detection and identification of Pacific cupped oyster and mussel pathogens; (ii)Search and characterise Pacific cupped oyster and mussel pathogens in relation to the presence or absence of mortality; (iii) Assess the relationship between the presence of Pacific cupped oyster and mussel pathogens and environmental risk factors in the development of mortality or disease;

6. Présence relativement homogène des pathogènes identifiés BIVALIFE – Specific objectives (iv) Investigate mechanisms allowing Pacific cupped oyster and mussel pathogens to survive outside the host (v) Identify pathogen intrinsic virulence factors and effects on host defence mechanisms; (vi) Develop methods and recommendations for pathogen control and eradication in Europe.

7. Présence relativement homogène des pathogènes identifiés Objectives

8. Expected achievements -Harmonisation of diagnostic techniques (histology, bacteriology and molecular techniques) for Pacific cupped oyster and mussel pathogens through method transfer and large scale validation (inter-laboratory assays); - Detection of relevant pathogens in European sites based on the use of validated common techniques; -Development of tools to measure pathogen survival in various environments; - Detection of viable/infective relevant pathogens in different compartments (animals, water, sediment);

9. Présence relativement homogène des pathogènes identifiés Expected achievments -Identification of relevant host defense mechanisms in contrasted biological material (infected versus non- infected individuals, resistant versus susceptible individuals, susceptible versus non-susceptible species); -Identification of virulence factors in relevant pathogens; -Identification of relevant potential determinants related to disease manifestation; -Development of practical methods and general recommendations for infectious disease control drawn from knowledge acquired during the project.

10. Work packages: 6 WP1 – Project management WP2 – Detection and identification of relevant pathogens and associated risk factors WP3 - Mechanisms allowing concerned pathogens to survive outside the host WP4 – Pathogens of interest: identification of intrinsic virulence factors and effects on host defence mechanisms WP5 – Pathogen control and eradication: development of methods, field tests and recommendations WP6 - Exploitation and dissemination

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