STATUS OF FISH HEALTH MANAGEMENT AND THE RESPONSIBLE USE OF DRUGS AND CHEMICALS IN NORTH-EASTERN BANGLADESH

Abstract

The study was carried out to assess the status of chemicals and drugs used in health management practices of different fish farms in North-Eastern Bangladesh during January 2014 to October 2014. Data were collected through questionnaire interview, personal contact, market survey and participatory rural appraisal like focus group discussion with different stakeholders. The major aquaculture practices such as carp polyculture with semi-intensive systems, monosex tilapia monoculture and Thai kai monoculture with intensive systems were observed in the study area. About 53 products of 9 pharmaceutical companies were found to be used in various fish farms for aquaculture purposes. It was observed that JV Zeolite, Mega Zeo plus and chemicals like Acurotay gold, Phostoxine, Sumithione were found to be widely used by farmers for pond management. Timsen and Virex as disinfectants, and Oxymax and Bio-ox as oxygen supplier found to be extensively used in the study area. Bio-Aqua-50, Aqua-photo and Ammonil found to be commonly used as toxic gas remover. The available stress reducer was Aqua-C, Osmosaline, Cevit aqua. Charger gel, Spa, and Acimix super fish were found to be used as growth promoter. Antibiotics like Oxy-D-Vet, Otetra vet powder 50 and Oxy-Dox-F were used for treating different fish diseases. Traditional chemicals like potassium permanganate, salt and lime were used in fish health management. The private farms showed higher use of drugs and chemicals, thus higher production than public farms. Some problems viz. poor understanding of farmers about the application of drugs, inadequate withdrawal period and excessive use of aqua drugs and chemicals in aquaculture were identified. Based on the study, total 7 diseases were observed in different fish farms. The most prevalent of disease in North-Eastern Bangladesh was Environmental diseases (37%) followed by Argulosis and Dropsy (21%), Fin and tail rot (9%), Streptococcus infection (7%), EUS (3%) and Nutritional diseases (2%). The highest disease prevalence was measured in Sunamgonj (32%) followed by Sylhet (24%), Hobiganj (23%) and Moulavibazar (21%). The study will provide necessary information for proper management of the farmed fish health using effective and approved drugs and chemicals, which will enhance safe and sustainable aquaculture production in Bangladesh.