Crustacean aquaculture is one of the most profitable food-producing sectors, with shrimp farming dominating the sector. In 2021, the shrimp export value of Indonesia reached US$2.2 billion. It also has a 6.9% contribution to the worldwide shrimp supply from 2015 to 2020.

In order to boost economic growth after the pandemic, the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) Ministry targeted to boost the shrimp production target to two million tons. To achieve this, the government will reevaluate existing ponds, revitalize traditional ponds, and build new ponds.

However, the existence of the farms is not the only issue that looms over this big goal. The shrimp farms are not immune to disease outbreaks, feed costs, disease-free brood stock, and international market prices. The most urgent matter would be disease outbreaks because it threatens the survival of the shrimps and the sustainability of the farms.

Learning How Shrimp Immunity System Works

To survive in their elements, invertebrates are dependent on two systems: the innate immune system and the environmental stress-responding or adaptive system. These systems work in sync to protect cells from stresses that may come from biotic and abiotic stressors. Especially with environmental stressors such as temperature shifts, salinity changes, and metal toxicity that may make animals susceptible to diseases.

While it might have been reassuring, it turns out that shrimps are totally dependent on the innate shrimp immunity system only. The innate shrimp immunity system itself merely serves as the front-line defense against the early phases of microbial infection. Therefore, shrimps are prone to bacterial, fungal, and viral attacks.

Fortunately, the disease mitigation the world has today has significantly improved compared to decades ago. This strategy includes antibiotics, chemotherapeutics, vaccination, and immunostimulants. While antibiotics serve as the most effective way to combat disease, overusing them may backfire to threaten the health of the shrimps and the consumers.

As an alternative, farmers can use immunostimulants such as prebiotics that can enhance shrimp immunity. Supplementing prebiotics to the diet of the shrimps can increase digestive enzyme activity that leads to an effective feed conversion.

Prior to giving shrimp immunity additives, farmers have to put several things into consideration. The first one is the availability of the additives on a large scale. The next one is the dosage that suits the species and its age. Aside from that, farmers also have to pay attention to whether the feed additives are appropriate for the long term.

The sustainability of the farm is dependent on the kind of diets and additives that may improve the health of the livestock. Click here to find your solution.