Responsible Use of Antibiotics in Aquaculture (FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Technical Papers)

Considering the overall misuse of antibiotics in all areas - human medicine, veterinary medicine, animal production and plant protection - this document aims to raise awareness of the antibiotic resistance problem in fish farming and related sectors, and promote the prudent use of these drugs according to the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries. This work focuses on antibiotics misuse and the concomitant threat of resistance development, considering this topic to be a public health concern that affects the population world-wide. Aspects such as toxicity and allergic effects of antibiotic residues, the mechanism of transmission of antimicrobial resistance and environmental impact are also taken into account.