NEKMAT Strengthens Biosecurity To Curb Disease Risks At Badong Shrimp Farm

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 18 (Bernama) -- The National Fishermen’s Association (NEKMAT) is strengthening water treatment, equipment sanitation and skilled personnel supervision to minimise disease risks at its shrimp farming project in Badong, which has previously experienced outbreaks of Early Mortality Syndrome (EMS) and Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP).

EMS causes early mortality in shrimp, while EHP infection can stunt their growth.

NEKMAT general manager Azrin Shah Ismail said standard operating procedures were implemented from the pond preparation stage, including disinfecting high-density polyethene (HDPE) geomembrane liners, treating culture water and cleaning equipment.

He said the use of approved dosages of treatment agents and probiotic bacteria helped prevent disease and reduce mortality risks among shrimp fry.

“Although the project uses mechanisation, such as automatic feeders, to facilitate daily pond maintenance, monitoring by skilled workers remains essential to improve harvest quality,” he said in a written response to Bernama.

Azrin Shah said previous encounters with EMS and EHP during farming operations had resulted in gradual shrimp mortality and stunted growth.

At the national level, the Department of Fisheries Malaysia announced on June 13 that biosecurity controls at the country’s entry points were being strengthened to reduce the risk of introducing aquaculture diseases, including EMS and White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV), which could affect the sector’s productivity.

Under the third phase of the project’s expansion, one of the 10 ponds has been designated for water treatment to supply treated seawater to the remaining nine culture ponds.

Beyond disease prevention, Azrin Shah said feed was a major component of production costs, while shrimp fry were currently sourced from producers around Nenasi and Kuala Rompin.

“Feed costs typically account for 30 to 40 per cent of total production costs,” he said, adding that feed was purchased at between RM4.80 and RM5.20 per kilogramme.

On the possibility of establishing an in-house hatchery, he said it would require substantial investment, specialised expertise and a suitable location, particularly one with access to seawater.

However, the NEKMAT project was confined to Lot 5 Badong.

Developing a hatchery entails significant investment and requires a high level of skill and expertise to produce quality, sustainable fry or post-larvae (PL).

“Establishing a hatchery is a sound strategy as it allows control over the entire aquaculture production chain while ensuring a supply of high-quality fry,” he said.

On fishermen’s participation in aquaculture, Azrin Shah said saltwater farming would be better encouraged through group-based entrepreneurial programmes or involvement at the marketing stage, given the high capital requirements and operational risks.

In contrast, freshwater aquaculture involving species such as tilapia and catfish could be started with lower capital, with some fishermen already undertaking such activities individually alongside family members, he added.

-- BERNAMA