Shrimp health management in cluster shrimp farm at Batticaloa district of Sri Lanka

Abstract

Shrimp farming in Batticaloa district at present is becoming a prominent industry with the newly established shrimp hatchery. Shrimp industry is facing many challenges due to sporadic disease outbreaks. To mitigate the occurrence of diseases, best management practices (BMP) were formulated by the government. Therefore, the aim of the study was to investigate the efficiency of BMP adopted by cluster shrimp farm located in Vakarai to prevent the diseases occurrence. Cluster shrimp farm located at Vaddawan in Vakarai region in Batticaloa district was selected to study the BMP such as pond preparation, water quality management, stocking post larvae, feeding management and usage of chemical during the culture period. 17 ponds were selected out of total 44 ponds from the cluster shrimp farm. Every management practices were observed and recorded by regular visit for a crop cycle of four months. Average weight gain of prawns in each pond at harvest was calculated to check whether they reached expected body weight. It was observed that the cluster shrimp farm was following the BMP for water quality management which included measurements of water quality parameters, proper aeration, frequent water exchange, liming, and fertilization of pond. Furthermore, sampling of stocks and feeding methods were also practiced by the farm as per BMP. As a result of BMP, it was noted that the average weight gain of the shrimps in the pond during a culture cycle was achieved as per the expectation. When the average body weight was compared among the ponds, it was ranged between 20-25g body weights. Our study concluded that the farming shrimp according to BMP at Vaharai cluster farm has resulted with good harvest as per the expectation. It could be due to minimal stress on shrimps in the pond, stimulation of shrimp immune system and prevention of disease occurrence.