Fish health knowledge, management practices and prophylactic health products usage in aquaculture systems in Kenya

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study assessed knowledge in fish health, management practices and usage of prophylactic health products (PHPs) in pond and cage aquaculture systems in Kenya. Data were collected using semi-structured questionnaires in 220 fish farms randomly selected from six counties, which were previously recorded to be producing high quantities of cultured fish in the country. Prophylactic health products used for fish health management in the farms surveyed were mainly water and soil treatment compounds, disinfectants, antibiotics, and probiotics. Among the farmers surveyed, only 11.9% of the pond fish farms sought advice on fish health issues from specialists compared to 59.3% in the cage culture systems. Thirty-seven percent of cage culture farmers were aware of probiotics and their benefits compared to 5.7% of the pond farmers. The study concluded that knowledge of fish health management practices by fish farmers is still inadequate and there is a need to train fish farmers and fisheries staff to build their capacity on fish health and management.