June 19, 2007

Biosecurity measures offered to Philippine shrimp farms to avert disease outbreaks

The Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Centre (SEAFDEC) has offered shrimp farmers a free diagnostic service and other biosecurity measures should the industry experience any disease outbreak.

During the forum "Biosecurity aspects on common shrimp viral diseases" attended by 27 shrimp farm operators, local government units (LGUs), and aquaculture companies, Dr Joebert Toledo, chief of SEAFDEC's Aquaculture Department has made the proposal to prevent huge financial losses due to disease epidemics.

SEAFDEC conducts nested polymerase chain reaction (nested PCR) tests which can detect white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) among others. WSSV is the present scourge of the tiger shrimp industry.

The primary consideration is for the viral infection not to spread and for shrimp farms not to automatically drain the infected water to common waterways.