Previous editions of the Aquatic Code

The first edition of the Aquatic Animal Health Code (the Aquatic Code)¹ was published in 1995 after the World Assembly of Delegates agreed to adopt a harmonised approach to prevent the spread of significant transboundary aquatic animal diseases.

^{The first edition was titled ‘International Zoo-Sanitary Code. Zoo-sanitary rules recommended by the OIE on International Trade in Animals and Animal Products’. Editions two to five were titled ‘International Zoo-sanitary Code – Rules recommended for trade in animals and animal products’. The sixth edition (1992) was renamed ‘International Animal Health Code – mammals, birds and bees’. Since 2003 the editions have been titled the ‘Terrestrial Animal Health Code’.} ^{In addition, the Aquatic Animal Health Code was previously referred to as the International Aquatic Animal Health Code.}

Prior to the publication of the first edition of the Aquatic Code fish diseases were addressed in the first five editions of the ‘Terrestrial Code’, i.e. the 1st edition (1968) ‘International Zoo-Sanitary Code. Zoo-sanitary rules recommended by the OIE on International Trade in Animals and Animal Products; 2^nd (1971) 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th (1986) editions of the ‘International Zoo-sanitary Code – Rules recommended for trade in animals and animal products’.

Since 1995, a new edition of the Aquatic Code has been published almost every year following adoption of new or revised texts by the World Assembly of Delegates at a WOAH General Session. Between the first and third editions some amendments adopted at the WOAH General Session were only reported in the relevant WOAH General Session report.

From the 6th edition (1992) of the ‘International Animal Health Code – mammals, birds and bees’ onwards aquatic animal diseases were no longer included and were published in the Aquatic Animal Health Code.

Since 1968, international experts have been elected, by the World Assembly of Delegates to a Commission² to prepare new or revise existing standards. The proposed drafts texts were presented to the Assembly during a General Session for consideration, discussion, and adoption.

Currently, the Aquatic Animal Health Standards Commission in collaboration with other WOAH Specialist Commissions oversees this work².

^{Since 1968 the name of the Commission that has addressed aquatic animal diseases has changed on several occasions which is reflected in some of the relevant documents provided below, e.g. the OIE Permanent International Zoo-sanitary Code Commission; the OIE Permanent Commission for the study of sanitary regulations on importation and exportation of animals and animal products, the Commission for the Study of Fish Diseases, Fish Diseases Commission.}

The table below provides access to all previous editions of the Aquatic Code, amendments adopted between editions and links to key documents that provide the relevant amendments introduced over time. In addition, the Aquatic Animal Health Code was previously referred to as the International Aquatic Animal Health Code.

Each line of the table corresponds to a published edition of the Aquatic Code, and provides:

The “Table of contents” of that specific edition. (in English only)
The “Amendments from the previous edition” , describes the new, revised, and deleted texts in that edition compared with the previous one (in English only). Changes to general titles, such as the glossary and user’s guide, are not stated in the table, as these take place very often.
The “Detail of the amendments” provides the links to key documents that describe the changes in that edition:
- the “Adopted amendments“, as presented in the World Assembly’s resolutions, amend the Aquatic Code. (Available in the three official languages)
- the “Proposed amendments“, as presented in the report of the last meeting of the Aquatic Animal Health Standards Commission before the specific General Session; amended texts proposed for adoption to the World Assembly (Available in the three official languages).
- the “Details of deliberations“, as presented in the final report of the General Session, include the discussion of the World Assembly on the proposed amendments. (Available in the three official languages).
The “Published edition” provides the full text of the Aquatic Code (Available in the three official languages)

If you cannot find a specific document, require further information, or would like to make a suggestion for improvement, please contact the WOAH Documentation Center [email protected].

This information was built with documentary archives and is provided for information only. The World Organisation for Animal Health will not be held responsible for the individual use of this tool.

Edition	Table of contents	Amendments from the previous edition	Details of the amendments	Published edition
25th (2023)	Table of contents	New and amended texts: – Infection with Hepatobacter penaei (Necrotising hepatopancreatitis) (Chapter 9..4.) –Infection with infectious hypodermal and haematopoietic necrosis virus (Chapter 9.5.) –Infection with infectious myonecrosis virus (Chapter 9.6.) –Infection with spring viraemia of carp virus (Chapter 10.9.) – Infection with Tilapia lake virus (a new Chapter 10.11.) – Section 11. Diseases of molluscs (Chapters 11.1. to 11.7.).	Adopted amendments Proposed amendments Detail of deliberations	Full code
24^th (2022)	Table of contents	New texts – Infection with decapod iridescent virus (Chapter 9.10.) Amended texts – User’s guide – Glossary – Diseases listed by the OIE (Chapter 1.3.) – Aquatic animal disease surveillance (Chapter 1.4.) – Diseases of amphibians (Chapters 8.1. to 8.3.) – Diseases of crustaceans (Chapters 9.1. to 9.10) – Diseases of fish (Chapters 10.1. to 10.10.) – Diseases of molluscs (Chapters 11.1. to 11.7.).	Adopted amendments Proposed amendments Detail of deliberations	Full code
23^rd (2021)	Table of contents	New texts – Biosecurity for aquaculture establishments (Chapter 4.1.) Amended texts – Glossary – Diseases listed by the OIE (Chapter 1.3.) – Infection with infectious salmon anaemia virus (Chapter 10.4.) – Infection with infectious haematopoietic necrosis virus (Chapter 10.6.) – Infection with spring viraemia of carp virus (Chapter 10.9.) – Infection with Bonamia ostreae	Adopted amendments Proposed amendments Detail of deliberations	Full code
22^nd (2019)	Table of contents	Amended texts – Glossary: revised definition for ‘basic biosecurity conditions’ – Criteria for listing species as susceptible to infection with a specific pathogen (Chapter 1.5.) – Infection with Ranavirus (Chapter 8.3.) – Acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (Chapter 9.1.) – Infection with Aphanomyces invadans (Chapter 10.2.) – Infection with salmonid alphavirus (Chapter 10.5.) – Infection with infectious haematopoietic necrosis virus (Chapter 10.6.) – Infection with koi herpesvirus (Chapter 10.7.) – Infection with spring viraemia of carp virus (Chapter 10.9.) – Article X.X.8. of all disease-specific chapters (except for Article 10.3.8. of Chapter 10.3. ‘Infection with Gyrodactylus salaris‘ due to the nature of the pathogenic agent) – Infection with infectious salmon anaemia virus (Chapter 10.4.)	Adopted amendments Proposed amendments Detail of deliberations	Full code
21^st (2018)	Table of contents	New texts – Infection with Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Chapter 8.2.) Amended texts – Table of contents – User’s guide – Glossary – Diseases listed by the OIE (Chapter 1.3.) – OIE procedures relevant to the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures of the World Trade Organization (Chapter 5.3.) – Criteria to assess the safety of aquatic animal commodities (Chapter 5.4.) – Article X.X.2. of Chapters 10.1. ’Epizootic haematopoietic necrosis’, 10.3. ’Infection with Gyrodactylus salaris’ and 10.4. ’Infection with infectious salmon anaemia virus’; – Articles X.X.8., X.X.9., X.X.10. and X.X.11. of all disease-specific chapters in Sections 8, 9 and 10	Adopted amendments Proposed amendments Detail of deliberations	Full code
20^th (2017)	Table of contents	New texts – Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Chapter 1.3.) – Acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (Chapter 9.1.) Amended texts – Glossary – Criteria for listing aquatic animal diseases (Chapter 1.2.) – Some disease names have been amended – Disinfection of aquaculture establishments and equipment (Chapter 4.3.) – Recommendations for surface disinfection of salmonid eggs (Chapter 4.4.) – General obligations related to certification (Chapter 5.1.) – A number of horizontal amendments were made in all crustacean disease-specific chapters, to improve readability – The list of susceptible species in Article X.X.2. in Chapters 9.2., 9.3., 9.4., 9.5., 9.6. and 9.8. was reviewed and amended, where relevant, after consideration of the application of the ‘Criteria for listing species as susceptible to infection with a specific pathogen’ (Chapter 1.5.) – Article X.X.8. in all disease-specific chapters was revised to more adequately describe the requirements for the importation of aquatic animals for aquaculture from a country, zone or compartment not declared free from disease X *Significant editorial changes* The year that a chapter was first adopted and the year of last revision are noted at the end of each chapter	Adopted amendments Proposed amendments Detail of deliberations	Full code
19^th (2016)	Table of contents	Amended texts – Table of contents – Glossary – Notification of diseases and provision of epidemiological information (Chapter 1.1.) – General obligations related to certification (Chapter 5.1.) – Disinfection of aquaculture establishments and equipment has been extensively revised and the title amended accordingly (Chapter 4.3.) – Infection with yellow head virus genotype 1 has been amended to clarify the scope of this chapter and the title revised accordingly (Chapter 9.2.) – In addition, some minor consequential amendments have been made in Articles 1.4.3., 1.5.2., 2.1.4., 4.2.3. and 4.6.3. to ensure that the use of ‘vector’ is consistent with the new definition of ‘vector’	Adopted amendments Proposed amendments Detail of deliberations	Full code
18^th (2015)	Table of contents	New texts – Recommendations for surface disinfection of salmonid eggs (Chapter 4.4.) – Risk analysis for antimicrobial resistance arising from the use of antimicrobial agents in aquatic animals (Chapter 6.5.) Amended texts – Table of contents – User’s guide – Glossary – Diseases listed by the OIE – Import risk analysis – Control of pathogenic agents in aquatic animal feed – General obligations related to certification – Certification procedures – Infection with Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis – Infection with ranavirus – Infection with Perkinsus olseni – The text in Articles X.X.7. and X.X.11. of disease-specific chapters have been merged – Infection with infectious salmon anaemia virus	Adopted amendments Proposed amendments Detail of deliberations	Full code
17^th (2014)	Table of contents	New texts – Criteria for listing species as susceptible to infection with a specific pathogen (Chapter 1.5.) – Infection with salmonid alphavirus (Chapter 10.5.) Amended texts – Glossary – Table of contents – Notification of diseases – Provision of epidemiological information – Criteria for listing aquatic animal diseases – Diseases listed by the OIE – Quality of Aquatic Animal Health Services – Certification procedures – Necrotising hepatopancreatitis – Infection with yellow head virus – Infection with infectious salmon anaemia virus – Some amendments were made throughout the disease-specific chapters to ensure alignment between relevant chapters	Adopted amendments Proposed amendments Detail of deliberations	Full code
16^th (2013)	Table of contents	New texts – Chapter on OIE procedures relevant to the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures of the World Trade Organization Amended texts – Glossary – Notification of diseases and epidemiological information – Criteria for listing aquatic animal diseases – Diseases listed by the OIE – Import risk analysis – Infection with Aphanomyces invadans (epizootic ulcerative syndrome) – Infection with infectious salmon anaemia virus	Adopted amendments Proposed amendments Detail of deliberations	Full code
15^th (2012)	Table of contents	New texts – Communication – Monitoring of the quantities and usage patterns of antimicrobial agents used in aquatic animals – Development and harmonisation of national antimicrobial resistance surveillance and monitoring programmes for aquatic animals – Killing of farmed fish for disease control purposes Amended texts – Glossary – Notification of diseases and epidemiological information – Criteria for listing aquatic animal diseases – Diseases listed by the OIE – Import risk analysis – Welfare of farmed fish during transport – Welfare aspects of stunning and killing of farmed fish for human consumption – Disinfection of salmonid eggs for infectious haematopoietic necrosis – Infectious salmon anaemia and viral haemorrhagic septicaemia	Adopted amendments Proposed amendments Detail of deliberations	Full code
14^th (2011)	Table of contents	New texts – Chapter on principles for responsible and prudent use of antimicrobial agents in aquatic animals Amended texts – Glossary – Diseases listed by the OIE – Criteria to assess the safety of aquatic animal commodities – Quality of Aquatic Animal Health Services – Criteria for listing aquatic animal disease – Control of hazards in aquatic animal feeds – Introduction to the recommendations for controlling antimicrobial resistance – Welfare of farmed fish during transport – Welfare aspects of stunning and killing of farmed fish for human consumption – Disinfection of salmonid eggs for infectious haematopoietic necrosis – Infectious salmon anaemia and viral haemorrhagic septicaemia – Epizootic haematopoietic necrosis – Taura syndrome and aquatic animal products listed in Articles X.X.3. and X.X.11. (amphibians and fish chapters) / X.X.12. (crustaceans and molluscs chapters) all disease chapters (except epizootic haematopoietic necrosis, Taura syndrome and B. ostreae)	Adopted amendments Proposed amendments Detail of deliberations	Full code
13^th (2010)	Table of contents	New texts It provides new chapters on: – Application of compartmentalisation – Welfare aspects of stunning and killing of farmed fish for human consumption – Control of antimicrobial resistance – Handling, disposal and treatment of aquatic animal waste. – Infection with abalone herpes-like virus – Necrotising hepatopancreatitis It provides new articles on: – Disinfection of salmonid eggs for – infectious haematopoietic necrosis – Infectious salmonanaemia – Viral haemorrhagic septicaemia Amended texts – Glossary – Diseases listed by the OIE – Criteria to assess the safety of aquatic animal commodities – Measures concerning international transport of aquatic animal disease agents and pathological material – Import risk analysis – Quality of Aquatic Animal Health Services – Zoning and compartmentalisation – Control of hazards in aquatic animal feeds – General obligations related to certification – Certification procedures – Control of aquatic animal health risks associated with the transport of aquatic animals – Model international aquatic animal health certificates – Welfare of farmed fish during transport – Epizootic haematopoietic necrosis – Taura syndrome – Infection with Bonamia ostreae	Adopted amendments Proposed amendments Detail of deliberations	Full code
12^th (2009)	Table of contents	New texts – Chapter on criteria to assess the safety of aquatic animal commodities – Chapter on welfare of farmed fish during transport Amended texts – Definitions – Diseases listed by the OIE – General obligations related to certification – Certification procedures – Quality of Competent Authorities – Crayfish plague – Model health certificates for international trade in live aquatic animals and products of aquatic animal origin	Adopted amendments Proposed amendments Detail of deliberations	Full code
11^th (2008)	Table of contents	New texts – Chapter on Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis – Chapter on infection with ranavirus – Appendix on welfare of farmed fish – Appendix on control of aquatic animal health hazards in aquatic animal feed – Appendix on aquatic animal health surveillance Amended texts – Definitions – Diseases listed by the OIE – Obligations and ethics in international trade – Import risk analysis – Recommendations for safe transport of aquatic animals and aquatic animal products – Infectious myonecrosis – White tail disease – Infection with Mikrocytos mackini – Gyrodactylosis (Gyrodactylus salaris)	Adopted amendments Proposed amendments Detail of deliberations	Full code
10^th (2007)	Table of contents	Amended texts – Definitions – Diseases listed by the OIE – Zoning and compartmentalization – Recommendations for transport – Infection with Bonamia ostreae – Infection with Bonamia exitiosa – Infection with Haplosporidium nelsoni – Infection with Marteilia refringens – Infection with Mikrocytos mackini – Infection with Xenohaliotis californiensis – Koi herpesvirus disease – Taura syndrome – White spot disease – Yellowhead disease – Tetrahedral baculovirosis – Spherical baculovirosis – Infectious hypodermal and haematopoietic necrosis	Adopted amendments Proposed amendments Detail of deliberations	Full code
9^th (2006)	Table of contents	Amended texts – Definitions – Disease listing criteria – Diseases listed by the OIE – Epizootic haematopoietic necrosis – Infectious haematopoietic necrosis – Spring viraemia of carp – Viral haemorrhagic septicaemia – Infectious salmon anaemia – Epizootic ulcerative syndrome – Red sea bream iridoviral disease – Infection with Bonamia ostreae – Infection with Bonamia exitiosa – Infection with Haplosporidium nelson – Infection with Marteilia refringens – Infection with Mikrocytos mackini – Infection with Perkinsus marinus – Infection with Perkinsus olseni – Infection with Xenohaliotis californiensis Deleted texts – Infection with Mikrocytos roughleyi – Infection with Haplosporidium costale – Infection with Marteilia sydneyi	Adopted amendments Proposed amendments Detail of deliberations	Full code
8^th (2005)	Table of contents	Amended texts – General definitions – Disease listing and notification criteria – Diseases listed by the OIE – Notifications and epidemiological information – Epizootic haematopoietic necrosis – Infection with Marteilia refringens – White spot disease – General recommendations on disinfection	Adopted amendments Proposed amendments Detail of deliberations	Full code
7^th (2004)	Table of contents	New texts – General definitions – Disease listing and notification criteria – Notification and epidemiological information – Obligations and ethics in international trade – Aquatic animal health measures applicable before and at departure – Aquatic animal health measures applicable on arrival – General recommendations on disinfection – Model international aquatic animal health certificates	Adopted amendments Adopted amendments Proposed amendments Detail of deliberations	Full code
6^th (2003)	Table of contents	New texts – Disease notification criteria (Chapter 1.1.2) – Diseases listed by the OIE (Chapter 1.1.3) – Guidelines for fallowing in aquaculture (Chapter 1.7.1) Amended texts – General definitions – Notification and epidemiological information – Obligations and ethics in international trade – Measures concerning the international transport of aquatic animal disease agents and pathological material – Modifications to the chapters on diseases listed by the OIE (of fish, molluscs and crustaceans)	Adopted amendments Proposed amendments Detail of deliberations	Full code
5^th (2002)	Table of contents	Refer to the full report of the WOAH General Session between 2001 and 2002.	Adopted amendments Proposed amendments Detail of deliberations	Full code
4^th (2001)	Table of contents	Refer to the full report of the WOAH General Session between 2000 and 2001.	Adopted amendments Proposed amendments Detail of deliberations	Full code
3^rd (2000)	Table of contents	Refer to the full report of the WOAH General Session between 1997, 1998, 1999, and 2000.	2000 Adopted amendments Proposed amendments Detail of deliberations 1999 Adopted amendments Detail of deliberations (Resolution XVII 1999) Proposed amendments 1998 Adopted amendments Detail of deliberations (Resolution XIX 1998) Proposed amendments	Full code
2^nd (1997)	Table of contents	Refer to the full report of the WOAH General Session between 1995, 1996 and 1997.	1997 Adopted amendments Proposed amendments Detail of deliberations 1996 Adopted amendments (Resolution XIII 1996) Proposed amendments Detail of deliberations	Full code
1^st (1995)	Table of contents	First edition of the Aquatic Code	Adopted amendments Proposed amendments Detail of deliberations	Full code
Prior to 1995	Prior to the publication of the first edition of the Aquatic Code fish diseases were addressed in the first five editions of the ‘Terrestrial Code’, i.e. the 1st edition (1968) International Zoo-Sanitary Code. Zoo-sanitary rules recommended by the OIE on International Trade in Animals and Animal Products’; 2^nd (1971) 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th (1986) editions of the ‘International Zoo-sanitary Code – Rules recommended for trade in animals and animal products’. Fish diseases were removed from the 6th edition (1992) of the ‘International Animal Health Code – mammals, birds and bees’.			1st edition 2nd edition 3rd edition 4th edition 5th edition

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Previous editions of the Aquatic Code

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