Repair of bird lines to ward-off birds approaching approaching the farm

Introduction

Philippine shrimp farming manifested an increase in the value of production growth rate by 0.94 % from year 2017 to 2018. Which is equivalent to Php 24.8B to Php 25.0B. However, its production volume decreased by 4.53 % from 60, 122 MT to 57, 399 MT. (Source: PSA, 2018). This can be attributed to the strategy of shifting of culture animal from shrimp to finfish, in order break the cycle of dominance by one microorganism which cause disease and to balance the biodiversity in shrimp ponds as part of Good Aquaculture Practices (GAqP), which is currently vastly promoted worldwide.

Good Aquaculture Practices (GAqP) in semi-intensive and intensive shrimp grow-out farms includes rigorous pond preparation, good quality fry, strict implementation of biosecurity measures and stringent water budget to adequately supply the requirement of ponds to minimize risks factors attributable to poor productivity. Myriad of efforts to cope with the need to modify the strategies of established grow-out farm management protocol resulted to successful harvest. New farming techniques were developed to adapt with occurrences of emerging diseases and the changing environment. The challenges brought about by climate change and the detection of Hepatopancreatice microsporidiosis (HPM) in 2017, prompted growers to channel their strength to improve farming practices through scientific approaches to produce better quality shrimps at a higher production volume. Better quality shrimps harvested at large volume will enhance marketability, command higher prices and will gear the industry towards the direction of global competitiveness and better market access. Thus, better socio-economic living standards among those involved in the industry.

This farmer-friendly manual intends to provide the management strategies to growers, farm managers and technicians which were applied and still being applied in successful farms. This also serves as guide on how to operate shrimp farms based on actual experiences applying Good Aquaculture Practices (GAqP), thereby minimizing negative impact to the environment. This includes the documented sustainable practices of farms with earthen ponds including their inputs and protocol on how they operate their farms effectively and efficiently.

This book consists of two parts: Part I contains biosecurity measures to prevent and manage infectious and non-infectious shrimp diseases during adverse environmental conditions. Which showcases evidences of good farm management with production consistency of technically equipped and well-managed farms. It will inform readers on how a farm should maintain a favorable water quality despite the mixed infection of two pathogens, WSSV and EHP in 2017 with several indications of vibriosis. It also mentioned how the application of several inputs during culture period, such as feed additives, immuno-stimulants, probiotics and nutrient mix were able to maintain a consistently high growth rate and survival of shrimps.

Part II describes management practices and strategies in cases of complexed mixed infections experienced by consistently successful shrimp growers specifically mixed infection of White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) and Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP), WSSV and Vibriosis, as well as White Feces Disease (WFD) and WSSV.

This document manifests how successful farms maximized efficiency and productivity without sacrificing the environment. It further reveals how farms were managed to attain competitive advantage based on actual high yields despite the presence of pathogen. As “the new normal,” the shrimps were able to grow into marketable sizes and maintain good quality even with the presence of “diseases.”