Aquaculture contributes more than half of the world’s fish production, and India is the second-largest producer, contributing to this blue food basket. The potential contribution of the Indian aquaculture is often limited by bacterial diseases. The economic loss due to diseases in Indian major carp farms is US$996.01 M, from which the bacterial disease alone is US$351.43 M, 35.28%. Disease prophylaxis in Indian aquaculture mainly comprises good management practices, including biosecurity. However, antimicrobial agents of natural and chemical origin are used in the therapeutic management of bacterial diseases in Indian carp culture operations. Regulatory guidelines require information on biosafety, environmental safety, efficacy, withdrawal period, pharmacokinetics and environmental degradation for the targeted aquatic species in their culture region. Presently, India has a list of prohibited antimicrobial agents for use in aquaculture. We have developed the required basic data for the safe use of antimicrobial agents in Indian carps aquaculture. The antimicrobial agents oxytetracycline, florfenicol, oxolinic acid, sulfadimethoxine + ormetoprim and sulfadimethoxine + trimethoprim were found to be safe for use in IMCs representative species (rohu, Labeo rohita). The pharmacokinetics studies revealed the distribution and elimination of these antimicrobial agents in different tissues with a withdrawal period of 7 days. The environmental safety of these antimicrobials was confirmed through degradation studies in soil and water, as well as their effect on indicator organisms. The in vitro and in vivo studies against the major fish pathogens confirmed their laboratory and clinical efficacy. The results of our study suggest that the listed antimicrobials can be used safely and effectively for controlling bacterial infections in Indian major carp culture. The outcome of the study helps agencies to develop regulatory guidelines for judicious use of antimicrobial agents, empowering fish farmers to reduce losses incurred due to bacterial infections.
Keywords: Aquaculture, Indian Major Carps, Antimicrobial agents, Bacterial diseases, India