Description of biosecurity practices on shrimp farms in Java, Lampung, and Banyuwangi, Indonesia

Abstract

The sustainability of the Indonesian shrimp farming industry is challenged by the presence of bacterial and viral diseases and their associated potential for severe economic losses and environmental impact. In shrimp aquaculture, biosecurity is essential to prevent pathogen introduction, emergence and spread within and between farms. This study was undertaken (1) to design and implement a questionnaire survey addressing key shrimp aquaculture management and biosecurity practices, and (2) to provide an overview and patterns of the current state of biosecurity for grow-out and intensive shrimp farms in Indonesia. A questionnaire was designed to collect information on farm characteristics, farm management, and biosecurity practices. Descriptive statistics, multiple correspondence analyses, and hierarchical clustering were used to summarize and identify patterns of biosecurity practices implemented by farmers and to classify farms into different clusters, based on these practices. Three distinct clusters were identified for 96 grow-out farms in Java and Lampung area, while 7 clusters were identified for 101 intensive farms in Banyuwangi area. For Java and Lampung, 2 clusters were mostly characterized by micro and small-scale farms, with less intense biosecurity practices, including not testing seed quality, not disinfecting people, vehicles, or equipment, not removing dead animals. One cluster was best represented by medium and large-scale farms applying higher intensity biosecurity practices, including greater distance to neighboring farms, disinfection for visitors, vehicles, and staff, testing seed quality, and fallow period greater than 30 days between cycles. In Banyuwangi area, farms could not be distinctly classified into clusters by patterns of biosecurity practices but were defined more by farm management and characteristics of the data structure (e.g., lack of response or missing records). For future sustainable surveillance programs and biosecurity implementation to reduce the risk of disease introduction and spread in these regions, recommendations include: training for improved, transparent, and consistent record-keeping; focusing future data collection on cluster or region-specific priorities and disease-specific biosecurity approaches by farming method (e.g., for intensive vs. grow-out); and increasing evidence-based decisions using epidemiological knowledge developed within industry, government, and shrimp aquaculture farmers.