Strategic integration of SOPs, harmonizing pond management, water quality, and disease resilience in semi-intensive shrimp farming: A Bangladeshi perspective

The strategic integration of meticulous site selection and management practices has been pivotal for the economic growth and sustainability of semi-intensive shrimp farming in Bangladesh. Conducted between January 2019 and December 2023, this study aimed to establish standard operating protocols (SOPs) to enhance efficiency and sustainability in shrimp farming. Through stakeholder needs assessment and site evaluations, suitable locations were identified based on factors such as topography, soil quality, and proximity to urban centers. Juvenile shrimp from specialized hatcheries underwent rigorous health screenings before introduction to nursery ponds. Stocking densities were optimized through central composite design (CCD) experiments, resulting in favorable feed conversion ratio (FCR) and specific growth rate (SGR) of 1:1.3 and 1.46, respectively. Significant disparities in shrimp production trends were noted between Improved Traditional Ponds (ITPs) and Semi-Intensive Ponds (SIPs), with SIPs demonstrating higher production rates. Salinity, pH, and oxygen levels varied between piloting and clustering ponds, influencing shrimp yields. Effective pond management practices, particularly in piloting ponds, yielded high response rates in biosecurity activities, emphasizing their role in disease prevention. Treatment ponds supplemented with minerals, probiotics, and chemicals achieved substantial production increases, with SIPB(TP-1) reaching the highest production of 1740 kg/acre in 2023. In summary, this study underscores the importance of thorough SOPs and robust pond management practices for optimizing shrimp production efficiency and sustainability. These findings are poised to advance aquaculture optimization, addressing challenges in shrimp farming and benefitting Bangladesh’s aquaculture sector while offering insights for global adoption.