Proactively prevent diseases in aquaculture

To successfully raise brackish water aquatic products in 2024, the authorities in the province have developed a seasonal calendar and strengthened management in farming areas .

Low profit

Last year, brackish water shrimp farming in the province was basically stable, with few diseases occurring, but due to unfavorable weather conditions, shrimp growth was slow. On the other hand, the price of commercial shrimp when sold was also unstable, so profits were not high.

Mr. Nguyen Minh Chanh, a shrimp farmer in Hoa Hiep Nam Ward (Dong Hoa Town) said: In 2023, my family raised three crops of white-leg shrimp on an area of over 1.4 hectares. In recent years, the disease situation in farmed shrimp has been very complicated, so last year my family decided to raise shrimp at a low density, interspersed with green crabs. All three crops, after deducting expenses, earned a profit of about 40 million VND.

The total aquaculture area in 2023 in Dong Hoa town is about 855 hectares, of which the brackish water shrimp farming area is about 840 hectares, mainly white-leg shrimp. The total aquaculture output in the area is about 5,115 tons, of which white-leg shrimp output is about 4,550 tons, with an average yield of 5.44 tons/ha.

According to Mr. Nguyen Van Hong, Vice Chairman of Dong Hoa Town People's Committee, the disease situation in aquaculture in the town in the past year was basically controlled promptly, not allowing it to spread widely. However, the erratic and harsh weather made shrimp farming underdeveloped. Meanwhile, the price of commercial shrimp decreased by 20,000-30,000 VND/kg compared to previous years, so most shrimp farmers have low income...

In 2023, diseases in brackish water shrimp occurred sporadically in most farming areas in the province. The total area of shrimp farming affected by disease was more than 73 hectares, down 35% compared to 2022; of which acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease affected more than 70 hectares and white spot disease affected more than 3 hectares.

Mr. Nguyen Van Lam, Head of the Provincial Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, said: In addition to brackish water shrimp, last year, nearly 2.5 hectares of grouper fish raised in ponds were infected with nerve necrosis due to bacterial and parasitic infections. More seriously, yellowfin pompano fish raised in cages have died en masse, with a loss rate of 30-40% of the total stock, with about 358,000 fish lost from 31 households in Song Cau Town. The province has allocated 18 tons of 20% sodium chlorite disinfectant to treat the farming environment and handle outbreaks of aquaculture diseases.

Adhere to the seasonal schedule

Last year, people in the province raised brackish water shrimp on a total area of about 2,170 hectares; of which, white-leg shrimp was 1,910 hectares, tiger shrimp was 260 hectares. Shrimp output was about 12,950 tons, of which white-leg shrimp was 12,600 tons, tiger shrimp was 350 tons.

Mr. Dao Quang Minh, Head of the provincial Department of Fisheries, said: In the past year, the province has conducted 25 rounds of collecting and analyzing environmental samples from aquaculture areas. The monitoring results were notified to localities and people by text and SMS, helping people to proactively respond when the environment has adverse changes for aquaculture.

However, disease prevention for aquaculture is still limited, and diseases in brackish water shrimp still occur sporadically. On the other hand, the complicated weather in 2023 has caused changes in the aquatic environment, while aquaculture infrastructure has not met the requirements.

According to Vice Chairman of Dong Hoa Town People's Committee Nguyen Van Hong, Dong Hoa Town People's Committee has directed communes and wards to guide people to raise aquatic products at appropriate density based on the province's crop calendar. The locality also guides people to renovate ponds and develop effective disease prevention and treatment plans for farmed shrimp, achieving the set plan. Dong Hoa Town proposed that the province strengthen inspection and management of shrimp seeds, feed and medicine to prevent and treat shrimp diseases, and strengthen environmental and disease warning inspections.

The 2024 brackish water shrimp farming schedule for black tiger shrimp is from January to July, and white-leg shrimp from January to August. Farming areas with guaranteed infrastructure, proactive water sources, and technical solutions can farm white-leg shrimp until October 2024. The stocking density is from 5-20 shrimp/m2 for black tiger shrimp and from 15-60 shrimp/m2 for white-leg shrimp. It is possible to rotate farming with other species such as tilapia, milkfish, sea cucumber, crab, seaweed, etc. or farm brackish water shrimp with other species to reduce organic pollution and limit diseases.

To successfully raise aquatic animals in 2024, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has directed its affiliated units to strengthen inspection of conditions for production and trading of aquatic breeds and production and trading of feed and environmental treatment products in aquaculture in the province; coordinate in monitoring and warning the environment in aquaculture areas, and recommend appropriate treatment solutions. Localities with aquaculture need to notify each farming household and each farming area of the seasonal schedule; properly implement appropriate technical farming procedures; proactively deploy plans to prevent and control aquatic animal diseases in 2024.

Mr. Nguyen Tri Phuong, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said: When detecting signs of abnormality or disease in farmed aquatic products, farmers need to report to local authorities or veterinary agencies for timely handling. Farming households in the same area are encouraged to organize production in community groups, apply good farming practices, ensure traceability and safety of farming areas...

In 2024, the area for white-leg shrimp farming in the province will be about 1,920 hectares, with an output of about 13,000 tons. The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development will continue to coordinate with departments, branches and localities to carry out the task of developing a master plan for farming and detailed planning of farming areas.

Deputy Director of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Tri Phuong

MR. NGO C

Source