Technical article · 2023
Andrew Shinn, Ratchakorn Wongwaradechkul, Geert Rombaut, Frederic Jozwiak, Emmy Léger, Roeland Wouters, Mayleen Chang Vasquez, Olivier Decamp, Erik Van Ballaer
A comprehensive review of biosecurity strategies across the shrimp value chain, covering broodstock management, pathogen exclusion, microbial management, and farm-level protocols to prevent disease outbreaks.
Biosecurity serves as an essential pillar of health management across all phases of the shrimp production cycle. This technical review addresses key biosecurity measures from broodstock holding and hatchery rearing to grow-out farming. In broodstock facilities, genetic selection (SPF, SPR, SPT), replacing fresh feeds with biosecure semi-moist maturation diets, eliminating eyestalk ablation, and treating water with ozone, UV, or ultrafiltration significantly reduce pathogen transmission. In larval rearing, managing the microbial ecosystem to balance r- and K-strategists and utilizing closed microalgae bioreactors or purified live feed regimes prevent opportunistic Vibrio proliferation. Experimental data demonstrate that postlarval tolerance to Vibrio parahaemolyticus (causing AHPND) increases substantially with ontogeny, requiring 80 to 100 times higher bacterial doses to achieve 50% mortality in PL33 compared to PL16. In grow-out ponds and RAS, biosecurity relies on health monitoring, strict disinfection of supply lines, biofiltration, air filtration (HEPA) to prevent aerosol transmission, and application of verified probiotics. Adopting a preventive, holistic biosecurity framework enhances farm productivity, sustainability, and disease resilience.
shrimp biosecurity, Penaeus vannamei, microbial management, AHPND, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, hatchery management, water treatment
Probiotic wafers delivering concentrated Bacillus spores directly to shrimp improve broodstock performance, increase nauplii production by 37%, and enhance farm profitability.
Probiotic wafers delivering concentrated Bacillus strains significantly enhance Penaeus vannamei broodstock performance, nauplii output, grow-out yields, and pond biosecurity.
Targeted microbial management in shrimp farming requires innovative probiotic delivery methods, such as attractable non-feed matrices, to ensure effective gut colonization and pathogen suppression even during periods of reduced shrimp appetite.
