[Federal Register: July 16, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 136)] [Notices] [Page 38423-38424] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr16jy99-79] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [FRL-6379-8] Report on the Shrimp Virus Peer Review Workshop AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice of availability of a final report. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of a final report of a peer review and risk assessment workshop on nonindigenous pathogenic shrimp viruses, which was held January 7-8, 1998. The report was sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Center for Environmental Assessment, on behalf of the Joint Subcommittee on Aquaculture (JSA), under the National Science and Technology Council. Completed under contract to the EPA, the document, ``Report on the Shrimp Virus Peer Review and Risk Assessment Workshop: Developing a Qualitative Risk Assessment'' (EPA/600/R-99/027), describes the potential risks of nonindigenous pathogenic shrimp viruses on wild shrimp populations in U.S. coastal waters. Expert conclusions and recommendations contained in the report have undergone an independent scientific review. The results of this independent review and the draft final report were used as the basis for a risk management workshop on shrimp viruses held on July 28-29, 1998, in New Orleans [see Federal Register 63(130)36895-36896 (July 8, 1998)]. ADDRESSES: An electronic version of the final report will be accessible on the EPA National Center for Environmental Assessment home page at http://www.epa.gov/ncea/ . A limited number of paper copies will be available from the EPA's National Service Center for Environmental Publications (NSCEP), P.O. Box 42419, Cincinnati, OH 45242; telephone: 1-800-490-9198 or 513-489- 8190; facsimile: 513-489-8695. Please provide your name and mailing address and the [[Page 38424]] title and EPA number of the document, ``Report on the Shrimp Virus Peer Review and Risk Assessment Workshop: Developing a Qualitative Risk Assessment' (EPA/600/R-99/027). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. H. Kay Austin, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, National Center for Environmental Assessment (8601D), 401 M Street, SW, Washington, DC 20460; telephone: (202) 564-3328; fax: (202) 565-0090; e-mail: austin.kay@epa.gov. For technical assistance contact Dr. Tom McIlwain, Chairperson of the JSA Shrimp Virus Work Group, National Marine Fisheries Service, 3209 Frederick Street, Pascagoula, MS 39567, (601) 762-4591. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Public concerns over the potential introduction and spread of nonindigenous pathogenic shrimp viruses to the wild shrimp fishery and shrimp aquaculture industry in U.S. coastal waters have been increasing. Although these viruses pose no threat to human health, outbreaks on U.S. shrimp farms, the appearance of diseased shrimp in U.S. commerce, and new information on the susceptibility of shrimp and other crustaceans to these viruses prompted calls for action. In response, the JSA tasked the Federal interagency Shrimp Virus Workgroup with assessing the shrimp virus problem. The JSA includes representatives of the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service (DOC/NOAA/NMFS); the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service (DOA/CREES); Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (DOA/ APHIS); and Agricultural Research Service (DOA/ARS); U.S. Department of Energy; U.S. Department of Defense; Army Corp of Engineers (DOD/ACE); U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration (HHS/FDA); Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA); the EPA; and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS)). The Federal interagency Shrimp Virus Workgroup includes individuals from DOC/NMFS, EPA, FWS, and USDA/APHIS. Publication of this final report is one of a series of related activities sponsored by EPA, in cooperation with DOC/NMFS, USDA/APHIS, and FWS, on behalf of the JSA. In June 1997, the Shrimp Virus Workgroup summarized the available information on shrimp viruses in a report to the JSA entitled, ``An Evaluation of Potential Shrimp Virus Impacts on Cultured Shrimp and on Wild Shrimp Populations in the Gulf of Mexico and Southeastern U.S. Atlantic Coastal Waters' [JSA Shrimp Virus Report (JSVR)]. The JSVR was reviewed at four stakeholder meetings [see Federal Register 62(112):31790-31791 (June 11, 1997)], jointly sponsored by EPA, DOC/NMFS, and USDA/APHIS on behalf of the JSA, during July and August 1997. Available products of these efforts include the JSVR (see http://www.nmfs.gov/trade/special.html) and the Minutes of the Stakeholder Meetings Report (EPA/630/R-92/001) (see http:// www.epa.gov/ncea/pdfs/shrimp5.pdf). These products and additional stakeholder (public) comments formed the basis for the shrimp virus peer review and risk assessment workshop. The workshop participants considered several potential pathways of nonindigenous pathogenic shrimp viruses to wild shrimp populations, including shrimp aquaculture, shrimp processing and ``other'' sources and pathways, and independently assessed risks using a qualitative risk assessment approach developed by the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force. As described in the report, workshop participants concluded that viruses could survive in pathways leading to coastal environments, and that there is potential for viruses to affect native shrimp in localized areas, such as an estuary or bay. However, many participants believed that local populations of shrimp would recover rapidly as a result of reintroduction of shrimp or increases in reproduction. Although there was high uncertainty, most workshop participants believed that the risks from viral introductions to the entire population of native shrimp in U.S. coastal waters is relatively low. Limitations in time and information during the workshop prevented the participants from fully considering impacts to organisms besides shrimp, although they believed these organisms deserved further consideration. Finally, while qualitative evaluations are valuable, workshop participants noted that they are associated with a great deal of uncertainty. However, given the limited information currently available, participants believed that it is not feasible to conduct a more comprehensive, quantitative assessment of the risks associated with nonindigenous pathogenic shrimp viruses at this time. Participants noted that there is a need to conduct further systematic research efforts to reduce uncertainty. The workshop report and the results of the independent scientific review of its conclusions and recommendations were used as the basis for a risk management workshop on shrimp viruses held on July 28-29, 1998, in New Orleans. A report of the risk management workshop (jointly sponsored by the EPA Gulf of Mexico Program, DOC/NMFS, and DOA/CREES/ ARS) that develops options and strategies for managing the threat of shrimp viruses to cultured and wild stocks of shrimp in U.S. coastal waters is currently being developed. Dated: June 21, 1999. William H. Farland, Director, National Center for Environmental Assessment. [FR Doc. 99-18185 Filed 7-15-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560-50-P