Green Global
Foundation   Journal
...an emerging window for scientific research and publication across the globe

PRESENT STATUS OF FISH DISEASES AND ECONOMIC LOSSES DUE TO INCIDENCE OF DISEASE IN RURAL FRESHWATER AQUACULTURE OF BANGLADESH (Pages : 48 - 53)

The study was carried out to know the present status of fish diseases and economic losses due to incidence of disease in three districts of Bangladesh namely Mymensingh, Sylhet and Rajshahi during the period from March 2010 to June 2013 using questionnaire interview and focus group discussion (FGD). A total of 300 fish farmers were interviewed and twenty FGD sessions were conducted. The most prevalent symptoms of diseases as reported by the farmers were Epizootic Ulcerative Syndrome (EUS) (31.33%), red spot (21.33%), fin/gill rot (16.7%), grayish white spot (6%), parasites (external) (5%), gulping for air (4%) and dropsy (4%). The average prevalence of fish diseases was highest (27.0%) in Rajshahi followed by Mymensingh (24.6%) and Sylhet (18.3%) districts. The overall average prevalence of fish diseases was found 22%. About 76.70% diseases were reported mainly in winter season and highest number of farmers (27.33%) used lime and salt to treat fishes. The average disease control cost as high as BDT 3,688 ha-1 yr-1 was in Mymensingh district followed by Rajshahi BDT 3,449 ha-1 yr-1 and Sylhet BDT 3,243 ha-1 yr-1. The overall average disease control cost was BDT 3,460 ha-1 yr-1. It was found that the highest average economic loss was BDT 30,023 ha-1 yr-1 (14.4%) in Rajshahi and the lowest BDT 20,390 ha-1 yr-1 (10.8%) in Mymensingh district. The present study indicated that the overall average economic loss due to fish diseases was BDT 24,870 ha-1 yr-1 (12.9%). Hence, management of such fish disease should be given top priority to save the freshwater aquaculture industry from huge economic loss.Download