The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has published a book on Biofloc technology (BFT) on the viability of raising white-legged shrimps at less cost.
The PCCAARD researchers said shrimp nurseries that are set up in ponds, especially those that co-culture shrimp with milkfish, are prone to viral diseases.
The spread of luminous vibrios and white spot syndrome virus, as well as high production costs, are emerging problems of the shrimp industry that need solutions for its sustainable production, the researchers said.
To mitigate the decrease in shrimp productivity and provide efficient supply for its growing market, the University of San Agustin, in partnership with the Marmi Agricultural Corporation, developed a tank-based nursery system that can ensure farmers with a safe and sustainable supply of seed stock of shrimps.
The publication discusses how BFT maintains water quality, which reduces the costs of pumping, refilling, and disinfection of water.
It also features how diatoms, macro-algae, fecal pellets, shrimp feces, bacteria, and other particles suspended in the water are used as food for the shrimps.
The stages of shrimp production, materials needed for shrimp culture, and the benefits of using BFT are also presented in this brochure.