The seminar «Application of GIS technologies to support biosecurity and epidemiological analysis in aquatic animal health domain» will be held in Padua (Italy) on thursday 6 February 2025, from 9 to 16.30. The seminary is organized by the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie (IZSVe) within the activities planned by the AQUAE STRENGTH project

This seminar aims to provide a practical view of the multifaceted applications of geographic information systems (GIS) in enhancing aquatic animal health domain. By leveraging GIS capabilities for spatial analysis and visualization, biosecurity practitioners and policy makers can enhance their efforts in preventing, monitoring and mitigating threats posed by biological agents. Through practical examples, application, and case studies, this seminar demonstrates how these tools contribute to informed decision-making and facilitate a holistic approach to biosecurity management.

The seminar is organized by the IZSVe within the activities of the “Strengthening capacity on aquatic animal health and epidemiological surveillance – AQUAE STRENGTH” project, an World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) international cooperation project led by the IZSVe, aimed at providing technical assistance and promoting capacity building in aquatic domain. The results obtained so far have emerged the need to develop a specific body of knowledge dedicated to promote a mature and as complete use as possible of GIS technologies in the field of biosecurity and epidemiology.

Seminar objectives and structure

The seminar objectives are:

  • To discuss about role and perspectives of GIS technologies in the aquatic animal health domain.
  • To define a novel approach for developing GIS applications in aquatic animal health domain.
  • To present practical examples of GIS application in surveillance and disease control activities.
  • To advocate the importance of biosecurity and epidemiology in the aquatic environment.

The one-day seminar is structured in two distinct sessions:

  • Session 1 (morning)
    Scientific coordinator: Nicola Ferrè (IZSVe)

    • Seminar presentation and welcome
    • Technical session: GIS in aquatic animal health domain
  • Session 2 (afternoon)
    Scientific coordinator: Manuela Dalla Pozza (IZSVe)

    • Technical session: GIS applied to aquatic epidemiology – case studies
    • Round table and final remarks

Invited speakers

Annamaria Conte
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise (IZSAM)

Marta Eichemberger Ummus
Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária (Embrapa)

Andrea Fabris
Associazione Piscicoltori Italiani (API)

Fernando Mardones
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile

Matteo Mazzucato
Anna Toffan
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie (IZSVe)

Paulette Posen
Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS)

Saraya Tavornpanich
Norwegian Veterinary Institute (NVI)

Paolo Tizzani
World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH)

Where and when

Padova (Italy), 6 February 2025
Caffè Pedrocchi, Via VIII Febbraio, 15, 35122
From 9.00 to 16.30

How to attend

The seminar is free and open to all interested participants, with prior registration required.

You can find all the information related to the registration in the related section on the official webiste of the seminar and the AQUAE STRENGTH project.

Go to the official website »