Natural resource managers are facing the growing challenge of emerging and resurging fish and wildlife diseases. In the past, disease was not a significant consideration in natural resource management, but over recent decades, there has been a recognized need to incorporate disease prevention, surveillance and control into population management strategies. How do natural resource managers deal with these issues? A North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference special session entitled Science-Based Management Strategies for Fish and Wildlife Diseases aims to stimulate discussion and collaborative action to promote fish and wildlife health. This is one of four concurrent special sessions to be held on Wednesday, March 16, 2016 from 10:00am-12:00pm at the Wyndham Grand Hotel in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Control of wildlife diseases in North America has remained demanding due in part to the evolution of pathogens as well as the cumulative effect of multiple stressors (habitat loss, invasive species, climate variability, and human-wildlife conflicts) on wildlife populations. There is a need to understand the ecology and epidemiology of emerging and endemic diseases in order to recognize when disease management is possible and to develop effective mitigation strategies. A combination of mathematical models, field data, and laboratory research decreases the uncertainty about disease and provides the basis for understanding disease epidemiology and for developing disease mitigation and prevention strategies when it is feasible.

Natural resource managers need to be aware of current scientific knowledge in order to develop appropriate disease policy and management strategies, as well as effective public education programs that justify management actions. Managers can support disease surveillance and applied field research on their lands to elucidate disease epidemiology and bolster the development of integrated disease management strategies. Additionally, disease specialists can assist management agencies as they seek to use scientific data, risk analyses, and adaptive management to make optimal decisions for fish and wildlife health. The National Fish and Wildlife Health Initiative provides a strategic framework for natural resource management agencies to develop wildlife health programs, conduct disease surveillance, and develop effective mitigation strategies.

Science-Based Management Strategies for Fish and Wildlife Diseases will present case studies on chronic wasting disease, fish diseases, avian influenza, and hemorrhagic disease of cervids. Presentations will also highlight gaps in our scientific knowledge that can be addressed through collaborative efforts by Federal, state, territorial, tribal, academic, and non-governmental organization partners. This special session will close with a presentation by the Chair of the National Fish and Wildlife Health Initiative Steering Committee.

The expected outcomes of this session are case-study driven identification of novel science-based disease management strategies and next steps for natural resource management agencies to implement the Fish and Wildlife Health Initiative. The audience will leave with a better understanding of how collaborative efforts between the scientists and managers can enhance and promote national capabilities to address health issues in free-ranging wildlife and minimize the negative effects of disease on conservation, domestic animals, and human health.