New feed requirements for lobster pound owners

Due to a new federal rule to protect human health, medicated feed for lobsters will be harder to get as of January 1, 2017, except for those who plan ahead.

Lobster pound operators who use medicated feed to prevent shrinkage due to diseases like gaffkemia (red tail disease) will only be able to use medicated feed when it is prescribed by an attending veterinarian. Fortunately, Maine has a number of veterinarians experienced in aquatic animal health.

Why the new rule?

In short, the new rule is intended to save lives and protect human health. Since penicillin was first used to treat infections, roughly 75 years ago, antibiotics have saved millions of lives and extended our lifespans. Today, however, antibiotic resistance is becoming a serious threat.

Mainly due to the overuse of antibiotics, bacterial species have been given many opportunities to adapt and proliferate. As the use of antibiotics has exploded in agriculture, to promote growth or “just in case,” even the newest generations of antimicrobials have become ineffective at an alarming rate. Each year in the U.S., say the Centers for Disease Control, over 2 million people are infected with antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Of these, at least 23,000 die each year.

What does the rule require?

To help keep antibiotics effective, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has prohibited virtually all over-the-counter sales of medicated lobster feed as of January, 2017. To medicate against red tail, Photobacterium indicum, or any other disease, lobster pound operators will first need to obtain a veterinary feed directive (VFD) from a veterinarian licensed in their state.

To issue a VFD for animals like lobster, a veterinarian must have a “veterinarian-client-patient-relationship,” or VCPR. For lobster pounds, this means working directly with the pound owner to make clinical judgments about lobster health. 

The veterinarian must also have “sufficient knowledge” of the pound’s lobsters. This can be obtained through testing provided at labs and through in-person visits to the pound. 

What do I do next?

Sudden, unpredictable shrinkage has been a problem for the lobster industry during some years. To prevent shrinkage and associated loss of revenue, it is best to be highly proactive. Lobster pound owners are advised to contact a licensed Maine veterinarian who is experienced with aquatic animals, and to do so before any lobster health problems begin. Routine testing of even healthy lobsters at a reputable laboratory can often detect potential disease problems in advance and help reduce shrinkage.

As part of the VCPR, veterinarians can also assess biosecurity which may result in other recommendations to maximize lobsters’ health and quality. While the new FDA requirements can impose an additional up-front cost on pound owners, they may also help protect the excellent reputation of the industry from consumer concerns regarding antibiotics use and reduce shrinkage losses in the long run.

Who can I call?

For a directory of veterinarians who may be able to meet your needs, you can visit the Maine Veterinary Medical Association Web site at www.mainevetmed.org and click on “Find a Veterinarian.” Take time to answer this question:  Is your pound ready to evolve?

Seth Berry is Vice President for Business Development at Kennebec River Biosciences. For more information, he can be reached at (207) 844-5459 or at sberry@kennebecbio.com.