Guangdong province is the most important region for tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) culture in China that meet demands from both national consumers and export markets. However, the intensified production has brought increased disease problems, antibiotics and other chemicals are used to prevent and control diseases and manage pond environments.
This questionnaire-based interview study with aquaculture farmers aimed to describe disease management practices and chemical usage patterns by farmers. Tilapia grow-out farmers (25) mainly reported streptococcosis (9) and exophthalmia disease (9) which were often treated with sulfadiazine, but also other compounds. Shrimp farmers (30) mainly experienced outbreaks of red body disease, white spot syndrome disease and secretly death disease and used a variety of compounds like antibiotics, disinfectants, vitamins and probiotics for disease treatment.
Tilapia and shrimp farmers obtained more and more technical service from staff in chemical shops, chemical and feed companies on diagnosing and treatment of diseases, and acquired information about prudent and safe application practices of chemicals more easily from different pathways in recent years. However, many farmers from small family farms still mainly relied on their own experiences.
The study shows the improving in aquaculture practicing in China, but still an urgent need to increase farmer’s knowledge on how to prevent and control diseases and use chemicals, including antibiotics, in a prudent way. Governments, experts and the aquaculture sector must join efforts to provide education and training that meets the needs of aquaculture farmers to ensure a prudent and effective use of chemical that protect the health of aquatic environments, food safety and humans.