DISEASE FREE AND POLLUTION FREE PONDS

Aquaculture is the fastest food producing sector in the world. Small-scale farmers represent the backbone of many rural communities in both industrialised and non-industrialised countries, and the contribution of small-scale aquaculture to the livelihoods of people living in rural areas in many countries in Asia is significant. The threat of disease has now become a primary constraint to the growth of the aquaculture sector, significantly both economic and socio-economic development in regions dependent on aquaculture and fisheries. The importance of prevention and control of disease risks as a measure to reduce production losses in commercial, semi-commercial and small-scale aquaculture systems has thus received increased attention. Many factors have contributed to the health problems currently faced by aquaculture, including those of the rural, small-scale sector.  This has led to the movement and spread of associated pathogens, and such introductions of pathogens have not only caused losses and mortalities in commercial systems, but also affected small-scale, rural aquaculture and fisheries operations. There are many such situations which exist in most aquaculture-producing regions all over the world; epizootic ulcerative syndrome (EUS) in freshwater fish, white spot disease (WSD) Litopenaues vannamei and viral diseases affecting cultured aquatic animals are classic examples.

Aquatic animal health should be taken care from the 1^st day of culture. Primary health care is necessary.  The success of preparation of pond itself plays an important role in the eradication of disease for better growth. There is a saying that "A good start is half done, therefore pond preparation must be taken utmost care before leaving aquatic animals into the pond.

1. Almost all the chemical, other antibiotics and probiotics are becoming ineffective which causes great loss to the farmers. Therefore a new approach scientific, natural and economical is necessary at this juncture.
2. After filling the water from any source the application of certain natural herbal products helps to eradicate unwanted predatory fishes and predators like snails, and the most dangerous fish lice.

Treatment 1:

Fish lice have to be controlled and stopped in a natural way that is the remedy which yields desired results besides it should not be expensive and the treatment must be easy to carry without any pollution to the pond.

1. 3 Kgs Tobacco waste is soaked in 20 lts water for three days. (Now a day's snuff powder may also be used but in small quantities - per acre about 300 g to 400 gm)
2. Filter the above liquid and mix water up to 10 times to the above concentration.
3. Spray this diluted liquid 2 feet below the top level of the pond using a sprayer throughout the pond. The levees are to be sprayed with the same diluted liquid at least once in a month.

Treatment 2:

King of bitter and bitter gourd juice are also used for eradication of Vibrio, harmful bacteria, maintenance of water quality.

Diseases should be eradicated before they are born. The best way of treatment is natural method which biology suggests  the price is pollution and disease free ponds.