DISEASE PREVENTION AND CONTROL

Luminous vibriosis, caused mainly by Vibrio harveyi, is a major bacterial disease of black tiger shrimp cultured in Southeast Asia. The research studies were intended to develop husbandry techniques, such as the use of live bacteria (probiotics) and "green water" culture system, as alternatives for chemotherapy to control vibriosis. The "green water" culture system is the finfish integrated shrimp culture system, utilizing finfish rearing water for shrimp culture. The mechanisms on how the system works to control vibriosis were analyzed.

1. Use of bacteria as biological control agent against microbial diseases in shrimp (Penaeus monodon) and crab (Scylla serrata) hatcheries (SEAFDEC/AQD, 2000-2003)

2. Screening of probiotics as biocontrol/bioremediation in the rearing of P. monodon I. Tank experiment (SEAFDEC/AQD, 2001-2003)

3. Antibacterial metabolites in the microbial and phytoplankton flora of the "green water" cultured Penaeus monodon (SEAFDEC/AQD, 2000-2003)

4. Investigation on the mechanism of the effect of tilapia culture water on luminous bacteria (SEAFDEC/AQD, 2001-2003)

5. Screening of Vibrio harveyi bacteriophage for controlling luminous disease in marine shrimp hatchery (Samutsakhon Coastal Aquaculture Development Center [SCADC], Thailand, 2001-2003)

6. Development of immuological indices for monitoring health status in P. monodon (SEAFDEC/AQD, 2001-2003)