Hygiene practices for aquaculture and hatchery management

Abstract

Water supplies for seed production and aquaculture may also be pathways for the introduction and spread of infectious diseases. A pathogen free water source is essential for success in aquaculture. Water commonly used in aquaculture comes from coastal waters or rivers and may contain fish pathogens. Such open water supplies should not be used without prior treatment. Disinfection of wastewater before it is discharged is necessary to avoid contamination of the environment with pathogens. Disinfection may be done using ultraviolet (UV), oxidants produced by ozonation of seawater, or hypochlorite produced by electrolyzation of seawater for disinfection of water. Disinfection of eggs can effectively eliminate surface-borne pathogens. Iodophors appear to be the best disinfectant and offer a wide margin of safety to salmonid eggs. For marine fish eggs, ozonated or electrolyzed seawater are used as disinfectants. Moreover, general sanitation measures are standard practice in hatchery management and aquaculture. Methods used to sanitize a rearing unit should take into account chemical toxicity to fish and consequences of prolonged use.