Identification of a cestode worm in cultured and wild amberjacks.

What is it about?

The identification of a cestode worm in both cultured and wild caught amberjacks in Japanese and Hawaiian waters were determined. PCR results indicate that the cestode is the same species and an explanation for its broad distribution is presented. The results from the current investigation indicate that the technology for the artificial propagation of the amberjack, and in particular, S. rivoliana, has broken the life cycle of this particular tapeworm and has eliminated its presence in the farmed product.

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Why is it important?

As aquaculture products increase and become more global in their distribution, quality and safety issues will become an even more important issue. Although the larval tapeworm that infects wild kahala is not a human health hazard, it still depreciates the value of the kahala significantly. From the information obtained during the current investigation it would appear that the technology for the artificial propagation of the kahala, particularly the species S. rivoliana, has eliminated this particular larval tapeworm in the farmed product by breaking its life cycle from exposure to intermediate hosts. Given that much of the market for the farmed kahala is targeted for the fresh sashimi market, these results should be welcome news to producers and also boost consumer confidence for this newly farmed product.

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