Fishery trade and the spread of pathogens carried by aquatic life

Fishery trade plays a significant role in the global food system, though some studies have found that this trade may increase the risk of spreading pathogens. However, research providing quantitative evidence into this relationship is lacking. In this study, we analyzed data pertaining to pathogens carried by aquatic animals from NCBI databases and the fishery trade from FAO Global Fish Trade Statistics. The results showed that the risk of carrying pathogens was not equal for various species and areas. Actinopterygii, Bivalvia, and Anthozoa were identified as major host classes, while Callinectes sapidus, Channa punctata, Cirrhinus mrigala, Clarias magur, Mystus tengara, Phocarctos hookeri, Sperata seenghala, Amphalius runatus, Callopsylla caspia, and Megabothris turbidus were recognized as key hosts. Compared with traded species, non-traded species emerged as the largest carrier of all pathogens. Moreover, countries with higher fishery trade value tended to report more pathogens. In conclusion, our study suggested that current worldwide fishery trade may facilitate the spread of pathogens carried by aquatic products. Findings from this work advance our understanding of the risks of infectious diseases, with relevance for public health monitoring and safety from a global perspective. • Actinopterygii, Bivalvia, and Anthozoa serve as key pathogen reservoirs. • Non-traded species harbor the highest diversity of pathogens, posing potential biosecurity risks. • Global fishery trade acts as a conduit for pathogen transmission, influencing disease dynamics. • Robust surveillance and control strategies are essential to ensuring fishery sustainability and public health security.