The aquatic veterinary treatment market is anticipated to expand from US$ 1.2 billion in 2022 to US$ 1.6 billion by 2030, reflecting a projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.9% during the period from 2022 to 2030.

Aquatic veterinary treatment encompasses comprehensive healthcare services for a variety of aquatic species, including whales, sharks, alligators, mollusks, and penguins. Key players in this sector, such as Merck Animal Health, provide effective and safe solutions for the prevention and management of diseases affecting aquatic animals. For instance, AQUAFLOR is a range of broad-spectrum, in-feed antibiotics designed to treat bacterial infections in fish that are susceptible to florfenicol. Additionally, AQUAVAC IPN Oral is an oral vaccine aimed at preventing Infectious Pancreatic Necrosis Virus (IPNV) in salmon fry. The growth of the aquatic veterinary treatment market can be attributed to the expanding aquaculture industry, the rising incidence of infectious diseases among aquatic species, and the increasing demand for aquatic animals as a food source. However, stringent regulatory frameworks governing vaccine approvals pose challenges to the market's expansion.

In recent years, the aquaculture sector has undergone a significant economic transformation. Scientific advancements have opened new avenues in both fundamental and applied research, leading to the development of innovative treatments and enhancements to existing vaccines targeting various infectious diseases. Ongoing research is focused on identifying new vaccine candidates to address aquatic pathogens, including mycotic and parasitic agents, for which effective vaccines are currently unavailable. These diseases not only pose risks to human health but also adversely affect aquatic species and the aquaculture industry. Traditional vaccines often have limitations, which drives the need for the creation of advanced products, such as chimeric multiepitope vaccines.

In 2021, the Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (ICAR) in India introduced a recombinant vaccine targeting Viral Nervous Necrosis (VNN), a disease that impacts a wide range of marine, brackish, and freshwater fish, leading to mortality rates as high as 100% in larval and juvenile stages. The introduction of such innovative vaccines is expected to present substantial growth opportunities for the aquatic veterinary treatment market in the years ahead.

Insights Based on Disease Source

The aquatic veterinary treatment market is segmented by disease source into categories such as bacterial, viral, parasitic, and others. The bacterial segment accounted for a significant share of the market in 2022 and is projected to experience a higher CAGR during the forecast period from 2022 to 2030. Bacteria are prevalent in aquatic ecosystems and play essential roles in the health and ecology of aquatic animals. While many bacteria are harmless or beneficial, certain species can lead to diseases and infections that negatively impact the aquaculture and fisheries sectors. Epidemics of bacterial diseases are common in densely populated cultured or aquarium fish environments, with most pathogens being gram-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped bacteria (bacilli).

Insights Based on Route of Administration

The aquatic veterinary treatment market is also categorized by the route of administration, which includes water medication, medicated feed, and other methods. The water medication segment held a substantial share of the market in 2022 and is expected to achieve the highest CAGR from 2022 to 2030. Administering medication through the water in which aquatic animals live is a traditional and widely used method. The absorption rates of medications can vary depending on the specific drug used. For effective water medication, it is crucial to know the volume of water to determine the final concentration of the medication. This method is particularly recommended for low molecular weight aquatic medicines, which can be uniformly distributed in the water. Fish absorb these medications through their gills, skin, and mucosal surfaces.

The preparation of the aquatic veterinary treatment market report involved consulting various primary and secondary sources, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the World Bank, the Department of Emergency Medicine, the Aquaculture Research & Development journal, and the World Health Organization.