Biosecurity measures in shrimp farming:- - Biosecurity measures at the time of stocking - Biosecurity measures at the initial time of culture period - Biosecurity measures during mid culture period - Biosecurity measures at the end of culture period

1. Biosecurity measures in
shrimp farming
By- Deepa bhatt
deepabhatt94@gmail.com

2. What is biosecurity?
• A holistic concept for the sustainability of
aquaculture (food production)
• Aims to protect environment including biological
diversity
• Practice of excluding specific pathogens from
cultured aquatic stocks in the broodstock
facilities, hatcheries, and farms

3. Every action involved in
– avoiding entry of pathogens (prevention/exclusion)
• Into a country
• into a farm
– controlling further spread of pathogens
(containment)
– reducing consequences of outbreaks (eradication)

4. Biosecurity measures at the
time of stocking

5. Biosecurity Protocol for Shrimp
Farming
Biosecurity protocol for shrimp farming included
three main management strategies focusing
on:
1. Pond bottom preparation and water
management prior to stocking
2. Seed selection-stocking
3. Post-stocking management

6. Use of lime in pond preparation
Removal of bottom sludge
Fertilization
Pond Bottom Preparation and Water Management Prior to Stocking
Water conditioning for 10–15 days
before stocking.
Disinfection

7. Stock Pathogen Free shrimp
Nursery rearing of PL
Selection of seed
Transportation time
should be minimum
Seed Selection and
Stocking

8. Biosecurity assessment at site
• Risk characterization of the facility
• Pathogen exposure
• Risk characterization of management
• Identification of critical points

9. Hatchery
Systems layout
Equipment Training of personnel
Dead / moribund fish/
Shrimp
Waste water
Procedures
Audits/inspections
Quality control / assurance
Water
MonitoringVisitors & workers
Wild fish
Feeds
Live food
Pellets
Eggs & Larvae
Certification
Inspections process
Fry
Market size fish
Broodstock
Certification
Visitors & workers
Wild fish
Feeds
Live food
Pellets
Visitors & workers
Wild fish
Eggs & Larvae
Certification
Inspections process
Feeds
Live food
Pellets
Visitors & workers
Wild fish
Systems layout
Eggs & Larvae
Certification
Inspections process
Feeds
Live food
Pellets
Visitors & workers
Wild fish
Equipment
Systems layout
Eggs & Larvae
Certification
Inspections process
Feeds
Live food
Pellets
Visitors & workers
Wild fish
Training of personnelEquipment
Systems layout
Eggs & Larvae
Certification
Inspections process
Feeds
Live food
Pellets
Visitors & workers
Dead / moribund
Training of personnelEquipment
Systems layout
Eggs & Larvae
Certification
Inspections process
Visitors & workers
Fry
Market size fish
Broodstock
Certification
Visitors & workers
Fry
Market size fish
Broodstock
Certification
Visitors & workers
Fry
Market size fish
Broodstock
Certification
Eggs & Larvae
Certification
Inspections process
Systems layout
Eggs & Larvae
Certification
Inspections process
Equipment
Systems layout
Eggs & Larvae
Certification
Inspections process
Training of personnelEquipment
Systems layout
Eggs & Larvae
Certification
Inspections process
Waste water
Training of personnelEquipment
Systems layout
Eggs & Larvae
Certification
Inspections process
Procedures
Audits/inspections
Quality control / assurance
Waste water
Training of personnelEquipment
Systems layout
Eggs & Larvae
Certification
Inspections process
Water
Monitoring
Procedures
Audits/inspections
Quality control / assurance
Waste water
Training of personnelEquipment
Systems layout
Eggs & Larvae
Certification
Inspections process
Hatchery
Water
Monitoring
Procedures
Audits/inspections
Quality control / assurance
Waste water
Training of personnelEquipment
Systems layout
Eggs & Larvae
Certification
Inspections process
Shrimp
farm
Water
Monitoring
Procedures
Audits/inspections
Quality control / assurance
Training of personnelEquipment
Systems layout
Critical point identification in a Shrimp farm

10. Post Stocking Management
Green water (pond
color) ponds have better
production and lower
risk of disease outbreak.
Monitor shrimp health
Aeration should be provided
No use of chemicals
Liming of pond
Regular removal of benthic algae
Removal and safe disposal of
sick or dead shrimp
Regular shrimp health checks
Use of feed check trays

11. Production process
Resource input
(animals, feed, labour, etc.)
Production
process
Output: goods, services
(to satisfy human needs)
Diseases
Biosecurity
 Diseases will reduce the efficiency by which input are converted into
output
 Biosecurity
• will reduce the probability of infectious exposure (known and
unknown) and curtail its effect (holistic)
• is additional input to the production function
• may increase output or lower the need for input
• should be balanced between benefit and cost

14. During disease outbreak
1. Do not drain contaminated pond water
1. Report immediately the disease outbreak to either: SEAFDEC Dumangas
Brackishwater Station, Dumangas,
SEAFDEC will report this disease outbreak to the Department of Agriculture
Local Government Units (DA-LGU)
- SEAFDEC will provide
free diagnostic services
to farms suspecting or
experiencing outbreaks
When proven to be infected by WSSV or other shrimp viral diseases, eradicate hosts
(shrimp stock and other crustaceans) mechanically and hold rearing water for at
least a week. Sell the shrimp if big enough, but gather the remaining crustaceans
and burn.
DA-LGU will inform other farms in the locality of the outbreak to
prevent the spread of diseases.

15. After disease outbreak
To avoid reoccurrence
1. Review your operations. Did you do GMPs? Were the
biosecurity measures in place? Was your monitoring
adequate? .
2. Modify culture system (use of greenwater, reservoir; closed/
semi-closed system; crop rotation; screening and filtration)

16. Biosecurity measures at the
initial time of culture period

17. Eligibility criteria for farms to culture Specific Pathogen Free P.
monodon
 Aquaculture farmers who
are registered with
Coastal Aquaculture
Authority will be required
to submit a separate
application for permission
for farming Specific
Pathogen Free P.
monodon.
Inspection
team
Coastal Aquaculture
Authority
Specific Pathogen
Free L. vannamei
culture
Inspect the farm
intending to
culture Specific
Pathogen Free P.
monodon
Applications shall be
processed by the Member
Secretary
Coastal Aquaculture
Authority
and put up for approval
Authorised by
For issuing permission to
farms for farming of
Specific Pathogen Free P.
monodon.

18. Eligibility criteria for farms to culture Specific Pathogen Free P.
monodon
Farms culturing Specific Pathogen Free P. monodon must
establish adequate bio-security measures includes:
Fencing Reserviors
Bird-scareSeparate Implements for each of the pondsFarm Management by the
Trained Person
Feed Using Check Trays

19. Construction and preparation of shrimp farms
 Proper designing and
construction of shrimp
farm is essential for their
efficient management and
for promoting
environmental protection.
1. Embankments should be
designed
flooding and erosion,
After taking into consideration
the tidal amplitude,
water current
wind direction
wave action
past histories of flooding in
the area during cyclones/
storms.
To prevent
2. In soils, which are seepage prone,
design should include an inner clay core in
the dykes with greater compaction and
trench around the farm to reduce saline
water intrusion into the neighboring lands.
3. The elevation of the pond bottom, drainage
canal and the outlet should be designed
That the water in the farm can be drained fully
and easily through gravity.

20. Construction and preparation of shrimp farms
4. Ponds should have separate intake and outlet structures
to permit control of filling and draining
5. water depth in ponds 80-100 cm
6. The farm design should
not alter
Natural water flows, or
impound floodwater.
7. The sluice gates should be watertight and
provided with net filters
8. Inlet and discharge canals
should be separate
So that water supply and
wastewater are not mixed

21. Pond Preparation
 The following checklist would assist in pond preparation and reduction of the
possible environmental impacts:
Correction of pH of the soil and water
Increasing the mineralisation process
1. Application of lime
Disinfectant
If the soil pH is not below 7.5, a basal dose of
300-500 kg/ ha can be applied.
 However, in acid soils, where the pH is low, the
quantity of lime to be applied should be calculated
based on the pH and type of lime used.
2. Unwanted organisms
removed from the pond
Where complete drying is not possible,
organic, biodegradable piscicides such as
 Mahua oil cake (100-150 ppm)
Tea seed cake (15- 20 ppm)
 Lime (Calcium oxide preferred) can be used.
No chemical piscicide should be used
 After the application of the organic piscicide at least a period of 10 days
should be given for its toxic effect to be removed. Chlorination can be done to
remove the pests and pathogens in ponds where drying of pond bottom is not

22. Fertilizers and manures should be used judiciously as per the requirement, according to
recommended doses (Table 1).

23. Water quality and its management
The quality of the water available in the site has a
strong influence on the success of the shrimp farm.
Water quality parameters like pH, salinity, dissolved
oxygen (DO) and the presence of toxicants/ pollutants
should be ascertained. .
 Low pH water will pose serious problems and similarly
wide fluctuation in salinity will also be detrimental to the
cultured species.
The water source should be free from any industrial/ agricultural
pollution. The presence of contaminants and their levels should
be considered in the light of the tolerance and also sub-lethal
effects on the species to be cultured.

24. The optimal levels of various water quality
parameters for better survival and growth of shrimps

25. Biosecurity measures during
mid culture period

26. The following guidelines should be adopted for feed and feed
management in shrimp farming
Feed and feed management
Feed ingredients should not
Contain contaminants
 Anti-nutritional factors,
Microbial toxins
 Banned antibiotics
 Other adulterating substances
Farm-made wet diets should not
be used
Only dry, nutritionally balanced
pelleted feed with optimal water
stability should be used.

27. Feed and feed management
 Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) should be monitored. Reductions
in FCR through careful feeding schedule will improve production
efficiency and reduce waste loads.
Freshly obtained feed should be used to the extent possible. In any case feed
stored for more than two months should not be used. Feed should be stored in
cool, dry areas to prevent mould and other contamination (Table 4).

28. Water discharge protocols
• In case of any outbreak of
disease
Distress harvesting is permitted
through netting only and the
water should be chlorinated and
dechlorinated before release into
drainage system.
• Farms which follow Zero Water Exchange
system of farming will be encouraged to
take up Specific Pathogen Free P. monodon
farming
• Waste water should be retained
in the effluent treatment system
For Period of 2 days

29. Major Diseases in Shrimp Culture
To eliminate the
White Spot Syndrome virus (WSSV)
Taura Syndrome Virus (TSV)
Yellow Head Virus (YHV)
Infectious Hypodermal Haematopoietic Necrosis Virus (IHHNV)
Reo like Viruses (REO)
Lymphoid Organ Vacuolization Virus (LOW)
virus
Specific Pathogen Free (SPF)
stock has been developed
Number of generations in highly bio-secure
facility with continued surveillance of pathogen
presence
By producing

30. Biosecurity considerations
Norms for culture of Specific Pathogen Free P. monodon
1. Tested and certified seed should be procured only form hatcheries
authorised to breed Specific Pathogen Free P. monodon brood stock
and sell the seed.
2. Stocking densities
Farms approved for Specific Pathogen Free P. monodon culture would
not be permitted for farming of any other non- SPF crustacean
species simultaneously in the same pond or farm
Should not exceed 30
no./m2
Mandatory requirement
Inspection team authorised by
Coastal Aquaculture Authority
in each case
3. Strict compliance for the waste water
standards and inspection
Shall monitor the quality of waste
water as per the procedures laid down
in the regulations under Coastal
Aquaculture Authority Act, 2005.

31. Record maintenance at farms
 To whom sold and this
should be reported to
Coastal Aquaculture
Authority through
quarterly compliance
reports as per the
performa given in form
VII.
1. The farmers should
maintain a detailed record of
the name and address of the
hatchery
From where they
procured the seed
Quantity procured
 Number and date of the
valid registration of the
hatchery
2. The farmers should record
the quantity of shrimp
procured, sold and the
name and address of the
processor

33. Cluster management, record maintenance and
networking
Farmers’
Associations and
Self-Help Groups:
Shrimp farmers
should form
Co-operatives, Associations
or Self-help groups
In order to exchange technology
and to achieve cooperation in
water use and waste
management
Shrimp culture techniques are also constantly improving, and it is important that
shrimp farmers continue to increase their knowledge of sustainable farming
techniques.
 Facilities for regular extension work and different aspects of training should be
made available to the farmers.
Individual farmers and self-
help groups/ Associations
should arrange
To interact with
the extension
staff
In the State Department of Fisheries,
MPEDA, ICAR institutions, Agricultural
Universities, and NGOs, as the case may
be to assist the small farmers

34. Cluster management, record maintenance and
networking
For facilitating data
collection on the practices
and farm accounts shrimp
farmers/self help groups
should
Co-operate with the State
Department of Fisheries
To collect, organize, and evaluate
data
To demonstrate the adoption of the
guidelines and document the
benefits of their use and also for
other statistical purposes.
 Farmers should be encouraged to join shrimp farmers information network at
the local, national and regional levels.
 The shrimp farmers should also see the various developments in shrimp
farming in the country and elsewhere.
 The aquaculture networks available should be made use by shrimp
farmers/Groups for improving their knowledge and skills and also for obtaining
latest developments and market trends.

35. Biosecurity measures at the
end of culture period

36. Health management of shrimps
 Protozoan diseases such as gill and external fouling caused by
Zoothamnium also cause problems in shrimp farming
Viruses, bacteria and protozoa cause the major shrimp diseases
The “ White Spot
Disease”, caused by
the White Spot
Syndrome Virus
(WSSV)
Devastations in shrimp
farming in India as elsewhere
is the most known virus
disease
The other well known virus
disease is the “Yellow Head
Disease”
Which has not been reported from India
Frequent in Thailand and other
parts of Asia

37.  Treatment should be undertaken only when a specific
disease has been diagnosed and it is known that this
disease is treatable.
Health management of shrimps
Deterioration of
water quality,
 Sedimentation
 Self-pollution
Also, effective measures must be taken to minimize the spread of
disease between farm stocks and natural stocks
Outbreak of
disease in shrimp
culture systems is
related to the
environmental
factors such as

38. The following guidelines envisage health management as a holistic activity with
disease prevention as the main objective.
 Inactive and sluggish
 Empty gut
 Bluish/blackish coloration
 Body blisters
 Flared up gills
 Broken appendages
 Black / white spots
 Coloured gills and opaque
muscles.
The health of the shrimps
should be monitored
continuously and those
with any one or more of
the following conditions
are diagnosed to have
some disease
Any disease should be diagnosed immediately with the help of trained
pathologists/ microbiologists.
Chemical treatments that can stress the animals should not be employed.
 Dead and diseased shrimp should be disposed off in a sanitary manner that
will discourage the spread of disease.
 When disease occurs in a pond, transfer of shrimp, equipment, or water to
other ponds should be avoided

39. Use of chemicals and drugs
• Reducing the use of these agents and chemicals will improve
environment performance but also reduce cost of operating
shrimp farms
Some of the chemicals and
antibiotics can accumulate in
the flesh of shrimp
Represent a potential health
hazard to the consumer and also
affect trade prospects
Some chemicals may also exist in effluents as residues and be
harmful to natural aquatic ecosystems.

40. Use of chemicals: Chemicals should be avoided in
shrimp ponds for prevention or treatment of disease, as
feed additives, disinfectants, for removal of other fish
or for treatment of soil or water.
Use of fertilizers: Both organic and inorganic fertilizers are used
widely in shrimp culture for promoting the growth of fish food
organisms, particularly for the early post-larval stages.
Use of chemotherapeutants: Some of the chemotherapeutants such
as formalin and malachite green which are commonly used as
disinfectants are toxic and may affect adversely the pond
ecosystem, the external waters, etc. and hence their usage in
culture system should be avoided.

41. Use of antibiotics/ drugs: The use of antibiotics in shrimp culture
is strictly prohibited as their use may result in development of
pathogens resistant to such drugs and the transfer of these
pathogens into human beings might result in development of
resistance in human pathogens
Use of fertilizers: Both organic and inorganic fertilizers are used
widely in shrimp culture for promoting the growth of fish food
organisms, particularly for the early post-larval stages.

42. Shrimp farmers and input providers should strictly follow these stipulations, which
may be revised by the Government from time to time.

43. Harvest and post-harvest
3. Icing should be done immediately after
harvest.
The farmers are advised to adopt the following norms while harvesting
the crop:
1. Harvesting can be
done by
Completely
draining the pond
Either by gravity or Through pumping and
hand picking or trapping
2. The water drained out for harvesting Should be pumped into the
waste stabilization ponds
and kept for a few days for
settlement before
releasing into the open
water.
4. Generally, the processors/ buyers collect the harvest from farm site and transport in
refrigerated vans. When such a facility is not available and the produce has to be transported
over a long distance, the shrimps should be beheaded and stored in ice to prevent spoilage.

44. Checklist for wastewater management
The nutrients and organic matter in shrimp pond wastes have
potential for the following impacts:
Proper water and soil quality management in the culture ponds will reduce
the nutrient loading of wastewater
 Responsible feed management will reduce feed wastage.
 Shrimp pond wastewater should not be discharged into freshwater areas or
onto agricultural land.
 Removing of sediments from the pond bottom should be avoided. It should
be corrected in situ.
Proper designing
of the farm
Intake and outfall
will reduce the
nutrient loading
During harvest, water
should be drained
carefully avoiding re-
suspension of
sediment

45. ETS
Direct output of waste from
shrimp farms
Water quality along the coastline
alter
 Effluent Treatment System (ETS)
is mandatory for farms above 5 ha.
 At least 10 % of the total pond
area should be earmarked for the
ETS which may be used for
secondary aquaculture projects.
The standards shown are laid down for the wastewater discharged
from the aquaculture systems, hatcheries, feed mills and processing
plants (Table 6).

46. It is advisable to let ponds dry between harvests rather than
removing sediment accumulations from the pond bottom

47. Farm hygiene and management
The objectives of
shrimp farming
practices should be
To produce contaminant-free
products for consumers
Responsible pond
operations and good
management practices
That prevent, eliminate,
or appropriately reduce
levels of chemicals,
drugs and pathogens
That pose human
health concerns
The following guidelines should be used to achieve this goal:
 The shrimp industry and individual producers should work with
the government to prepare lists of pathogens, drugs and chemical
contaminants that pose existing or potential human health
concerns and takes effective measures to control these risks.
All waste materials should be disposed of in a sanitary way

48.  The key elements of biosecurity can be summarized as
reliable sources of stock, adequate diagnostic and
detection methods for excludable diseases, disinfection and
pathogen eradication methods, best management
practices, and practical and acceptable legislation.
 Nevertheless, it is almost impossible to determine the
economic benefits of a biosecurity program if there is no
disease outbreak, and aquaculture producers may be
reluctant to adopt biosecurity measures that appear to be
an additional cost.
Conclusion