ABSTRACT
The vast majority of literature related to viral diseases of fish emphasizes those viruses that affect primarily cultured species and populations. Viral diseases of cultured marine fishes are more easily assessed because of daily contact and observation at the more highly susceptible small size or young age. Poor understanding of viruses and viral diseases of marine fishes is further impaired because of the inaccessability of the most susceptible size and age. Degradation of the marine environment through industrial, municipal, and petroleum contamination, eutrophication, increased siltation, and human encroachment on coastal and estuarine habitats is a significant concern. Infectious pancreatic necrosis virus is generally considered a viral pathogen of freshwater fish. Infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus produces infectious hematopoietic necrosis primarily in Pacific salmon. Oncorhynchus masou virus produces a disease in young members of several species of the genus Oncorhynchus.
