Assessing the economic impact of diseases in Mediterranean grow-out farms culturing European sea bass

The aim of this work is to propose a novel and formal approach evaluate the direct costs diseases caused by different pathogens as well their economic impact on typical Mediterranean grow-out farms culturing European sea bass under scenarios production related biomass produced (farm size) size fish (production strategy). We employ deterministic static model simulate annual income statement those facilities as, through partial budget sensitivity analyses, them. An important conclusion that profitability viability suffering recurrent outbreaks depend farm typology decisions taken owners/investors about sold in market. Our estimations show larger produced, are cost disease outbreak. However, net operating profit significantly worse smaller produced. conclusions research stress need for small producers pay attention devote resources prevent treat outbreaks.