Chennai: The shrimp industry, which saw a phenomenal growth in the past four years, is faced with a tough challenge.
All states where aquaculture is done have been put on alert following emergence of new microsporidian parasite called Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP) that is reported to be associated with retarded growth.
Aquaculture experts say there is no drug to control EHP infection in shrimp as on date. The only way out is better management practices and proper bio-security measures.
Scientists of Aquatic Animal Health and Environment Division at Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (CIBA), who have been carrying out extensive tests and investigation for the past one year, confirmed there is widespread occurrence of EHP in Indian shrimp farming systems and called for urgent attention by stakeholders.
As reported by Deccan Chronicle earlier, EHP infection was first spotted in 2013, but only now it is assuming dangerous proportions inflicting severe economic losses.
As part of the mitigation strategy, a national consultation on “Managing EHP infections in brackishwater aquaculture in India” was organised at CIBA on Tuesday that was attended by scientists from various institutes.
K. Vijayan, Director, CIBA, told Deccan Chronicle on the sidelines of the national consultative meet, that already Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific (NACA) has provided the advisory on the need for the management in Asiatic region. Now, a fresh consolidated advisory will be issued to Indian farmers.
P. Ravichandran, member secretary, Coastal Aquaculture Authority (CAA), said CAA periodically updated the list of hatcheries that supplied Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) seed and puts it in the website. Elias Sait, secretary general, SEAI, told this newspaper that the state government should bring in stringent norms to make farmers follow bio-security measures to overcome such hurdles in future.
Beela Rajesh, Commissioner of Fisheries, Tamil Nadu, who was also part of the consultation, pledged the state government’s support.
