Solutions to Contamination Problems in Aquaculture

1. Factors that created Organic Contamination in Aquaculture:

1. Development of the industry without technical know-how: At the beginning of this industry, low stocking densities were used in virgin soils and in small areas. Such procedures did not cause much harmful effects, but during the development of the industry there were no ecological sound or culturing techniques that would prevent future damages.

2. Increasing stocking densities: The increase of stocking densities without sustainable culturing techniques created a high organic load on soil/water. Increasing densities resulted in more wastes and pressure on the environment.

3. Indiscriminate use fertilizers and supplemental feeds: In an effort to increase productions, the increase of stocking densities and the addition of excessive supplemental feeds/fertilizers resulted in an increase of toxic wastes and organic residues sent to the environment.

4. There were not known procedures for treating contaminated pond effluents, so environmental contamination increased at a high pace.

5. Contamination of water basins: In frequent water exchanges and harvestings, the organic loaded effluents were sent to rivers, estuaries, lakes, etc. where they accumulated on soil and water, adding to the contamination of the environment.

6. Human contamination: Cities and towns increasing in number and area added contamination to the environment and further expedited bacterial levels in Aquaculture influents.

7. Navigational Waterways Clearance: Dredging of waterways for navigational purposes caused suspension of organic sediments to the water column, creating a high BOD and bacterial counts in Aquaculture influents.

8. Toxic byproducts: Biological digestion of accumulated organic residues by indigenous microorganisms created more nitrogenous compounds wastes and other toxic byproducts.

9. Erosion: Man made erosion from development of Agriculture / Aquaculture increased the concentration of inorganic sediments and nutrients in waters, which resulted in sedimentation and pollution inside ponds.

2. Problems in Aquaculture resulting from Organic Contamination:

1. Increased toxic compounds in water: Increased toxic compounds as NH3/NO2 caused stress in cultured species making them more susceptible to diseases.

2. Appearances of diseases: Potentially pathogenic microorganisms thriving in organic substrates grew to concentrations enough to cause diseases on wild and cultured species.

3. Introduction of pathogens: Pathogens coming in from other geographical areas found contamination and wastes which are a perfect ground to grow and cause diseases.

4. Indiscriminate use of antibiotics: The indiscriminate use of antibiotics in hatcheries and farms caused the raise of antibiotic resistant pathogens.

5. Destruction of habitat: The destruction of the natural habitat due to increased contamination resulted in a decrease of wild supply of shrimp post larvae, adding a pressure on the industry.

6. Development of hatcheries: The low quality post larvae produced in most hatcheries were easily affected by diseases, which spread outbreaks to many geographical areas.

3. Results of Environmental Contamination:

1. Unhealthier environment for aquaculture.

2. Contaminated source of post larvae for Aquaculture

3. Reduce availability of healthier shrimp stocks to hatcheries and farms.

4. Decrease PL quality making culture results unpredictable.

4. Catastrophic effects of contamination in Aquaculture:

1. Massive appearance of bacterial/viral disease in ponds

2. Massive mortalities of cultured species in ponds

3. Decrease of business profitability

4. Closing of Aquaculture Farms

5. High Socioeconomic impact on local population and Country development.

5. The Role of Scientific Community and Bioremediation in Aquaculture:

1. Chemical and mechanical approaches to control organic contamination were not successful, and then the need for Bioremediation was noted.

2. Development of Biological Formulas: Top scientific research was done to identify natural microorganisms suitable for specific bioremediation targets. Through repetitive testing, best groups of microorganisms working in synergy were selected to become best’s formulas for the Aquaculture sector.

3. Development of Application Protocols and Rates for Aquaculture: Through repetitive testing, optimums in application rates and protocols were selected for the fastest and safest bioremediation in the Aquaculture sector.

4. Further testing was performed to integrate Best Farm Practices to biological product applications and rates, creating the best synergy between sciences and shrimp culturing techniques.

6. Some Roles of United-Tech Inc in Aquaculture are:

1. Providing the most successful formula in the market.

2. Providing the best quality ingredients.

3. Providing the best application protocols and rates.

4. Recovery and control of the Environment for predicting results.

5. Providing Training and Seminars on the field.

6. Providing personalized technical assistance year round.

7. Upgrading UTI knowledge base from our worldwide experience.

8. Sharing Best Farm Practices Data with our clients.

9. Assistance and support to grow the business.

7. Benefits of BZT® Bio-Aqua in Aquaculture Ponds: 

1. Pristine water quality and control of algae bloom.

2. Elimination of bottom organic sludge (converted to CO2, H2O, and bacterial biomass).

3. Reduces the need for water exchange, reducing energy costs.

4. Reduce Vibrios and Rickettsias in soil by out competition (reducing the dead organic matter which is the substrate they use to reproduce).

5. In the water column out competes Vibrios and Rickettsias (eliminating suspended organic matter)

6. Probiotic effect by water ingestion or mixed with feeds (out competes and expel Vibrios and Rickettsias out of the body)

7. Digestive effect when ingested with the water or mixed with feeds (action of bacteria and selected enzymes present in product)

8. Eliminate the needs for antibiotic.

9. Improves survival and production because the shrimp utilizes all its energy to grow, and not to fight diseases.

10. Improves FCR.

11. Elimination of toxic nitrogenous compounds (NH4-NH3, NO2, NO3, etc. to N2 or bacterial biomass).

12.  Out-compete bacteria that produce toxic breakdown products and offensive compounds (NH3, CH4, H2S, etc.)

13. Eliminates excess of nutrients that cause macro algae and phytoplankton bloom and water quality problems.

14. After harvest the soil will be clean of organic residues, reducing the drying period and increasing pounds per hectare per year.

15. Eliminates the need to use machinery to remove sludge from the pond after harvesting, reducing post harvesting costs.

16. Allows the increasing of stocking densities up to Super-Intensive (L .vannamei), increasing the Return on the Investment, in a sustainable way.

17. Applicable in extensive, semi-intensive, intensive, and super-intensive stocking densities, in shrimp and fish farming, in grow out ponds, nurseries, raceways and hatcheries. Works on freshwater or seawater.

18. Suitable for all varieties of fish and shrimp, including L. vannamei, P. monodon, and others in all geographical areas.

19. Treatment of residual waters for recirculation, or discharge purposes after removal and biodegradation of solids.
20. Use of BZT® Bio-Aqua in shrimp farming with out antibiotics and chemicals is “Organic Aquaculture”, and its popularity worldwide is reaching tremendous potential.