New technology aims to combat shrimp diseases

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Science and Technology’s Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research is banking on a new technology to reduce the occurrence of diseases in shrimps.

Implemented by the University of the Philippines, the biofloc technology (BFT) is fast gaining attention as a sustainable method to control water quality and diseases.

BFT uses a microbial mat composed of aggregates of bacteria, algae, protozoa, detritus, and dead organic particles that help control the natural microbial activity in aquaculture ponds.

The use of this technology helps reduce reliance on protein from feeds and it stabilizes water quality through waste recycling.  It can enhance the shrimps’ immune system.

With the BFT, the government expects to improve shrimp production.

The Philippines is the sixth largest producer of shrimps with annual production of about 50,000 metric tons.

Shrimp production is under the continuous threat of bacterial infestation, which has caused the collapse of the industry.

The ISP aims to revitalize the shrimp industry by reducing the occurrence of diseases in shrimps and improving yields through sound management practices.

BFT improves shrimp’s nutrition, as it enhances feed conversion ratio (FCR), resulting in larger shrimps. When carbon and nitrogen are sufficient in the culture system, the biofloc increases in number and size, thus more visible to shrimps for their consumption.

Disease control can also be achieved through this technology. A well-developed biofloc water can contain more than 2,000 bacterial species, which can enhance shrimp’s immune system.

In terms of investment, BFT may require a high capital, but it can be offset by higher production per cycle.

BFT has already been pilot tested in three farms in Luzon, two in Visayas, and two in Mindanao. An average of 5.5 kg/cubic meter (m3) of P. vannamei in tanks were realized, while an average of 18 tons/ha for P.  vannamei was produced in the trials in the ponds. A feed conversion ratio (FCR) of 1.3 was attained with 95 percent survival rate, with a stocking density of 800,000 per hectare in a 90-day culture period.

DOST-PCAARRD will showcase biofloc technology including other agri-aqua research and development (R&D) outputs on March 2-4 during the SIPAG FIESTA at its headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna.

SIPAG, a technology transfer strategy, embodies the Council’s commitment to DOST’s Outcome One in a bid to ensure that the fruits of R&D activities for the agri-aqua sectors will be a blessing for every Juan.