APHIS encourages aquaculture producers to work with aquatic animal veterinarians and other aquatic animal health experts to follow disease prevention practices and proactively address health issues on the production site. 

• Disease-Related Resources for Aquafarmers 
• Disease Prevention and Biosecurity Practices (PDF)

The NAHP&S establishes guidance for national disease reporting, laboratory and testing standardization, surveillance, response, biosecurity, data management, and education and training, which benefit the Nation's aquaculture health. It also outlines health inspection options to provide consistent and verifiable ways to establish, maintain, and certify the health and safety of aquatic livestock, and lists the actions APHIS will take in each of these areas to implement the plan. These actions will support the overall health of the aquaculture community, which will provide protection and assurance for producers of farm-raised aquatic animals in the United States.

Development of a revised plan is underway. An updated version will be coming soon.

View the National Aquaculture Health Plan and Standards

CAHPS is a voluntary certification program coming soon. It will set standards for enhancing and verifying the health of farmed aquatic livestock in U.S. commercial aquaculture operations. These principles aid the aquaculture community and various authorities in early disease detection, surveillance, reporting, and response to aquatic animal pathogen detections, particularly those identified by WOAH and NLRAD, and prevent their spread through the movement and trade of aquatic animals and plants.

Learn More About CAHPS