Use of Chemicals in Aquaculture in Asia

244 Pages·2001·1.21 MB·English

Use of Chemicals in Aquaculture in Asia

Proceedings of the Meeting on the Use of Chemicals
In Aquaculture in Asia
20-22 May 1996; Tigbauan, Iloilo, Philippines

JR Arthur
CR Lavilla-Pitogo
RP Subasinghe
Editors
Use of Chemicals in Aquaculture in Asia

ISBN 971-8511-49-0

Published by:
Southeast Asian Fisheries
Development Center
Aquaculture Department
Tigbauan, Iloilo, Philippines


Copyright 2000
Southeast Asian Fisheries
Development Center
Aquaculture Department
Tigbauan, Iloilo, Philippines

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
No part of this publication may be
reproduced or transmitted in any form
or by any means, electronic or mechanical,
including photocopy, recording, or any
information storage and retrieval system,
without the permission in writing from the
publisher.

For inquiries: Training and Information Division
SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department
5021 Tigbauan, Iloilo, Philippines
Fax [phone]
E-mail [email protected] / [email protected]
AQD Website http://www.seafdec.org.ph/
FOREWORD

The use of chemicals in aquaculture systems for various purposes is widely recognized. While
aquaculturists acknowledge that some operations are reliant on chemical usage, they also realize the
potential danger associated with chemical misuse. A meeting in the use of chemicals in aquaculture in Asia
was conceived by Dr.Uwe Barg of FAO and Dr. Jurgenne Primavera of SEAFDEC Aquaculture
Department during a GESAMP working group meeting in Victoria, Canada in late 1994. A Local
Organizing Committee was created at SEAFDEC to coordinate closely with FAO on the choice of
reviewers and Asian experts to put together the papers for presentation and discussion in the meeting.

The Expert Meeting on the Use of Chemicals in Aquaculture in Asia was convened at the Aquaculture
Department of SEAFDEC last May 20 –22, 1996. More than a hundred participants and observers
composed of scientists and aquaculturists, both from the private and government sectors, from 20 countries
– Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, the People’s Republic of China, Denmark, India, French Polynesia,
Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Caledonia, Panama, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, United
Kingdom, the USA, Viet Nam, and the Philippines – attended. The meeting synthesized all information on
the use of chemicals in aquaculture Asia with emphasis on the various aquaculture systems and species to
which they were applied, and the country regulations regarding their distribution and usage. This was
achieved through the various country and area papers presented by known experts. Special review papers
covering topics on the effects of chemicals on human health and the environment, problems with drug
resistant fish pathogens, as well as their delivery through feeds and water were presented by scientists only
from Asia but also from various parts of the world. The discussions and workshops came up with
recommendations on how to mitigate the impact of chemical use on the environment and consumers.
Experts estimated that there may be no less than 50 veterinary drug products in each country that have
found their way to fish farms. The meeting was opportune because sustainability of the aquaculture
industry has been increasingly linked to the to the integrity of the environment.

We believe that the meeting was a success, its objectives having been met as documented in this volume.
However, the meeting brought a realization that mitigating the impact of chemical use could be a drawn out
and expensive process. Governments need to impose restrictions or institute policies to regulate chemical
use; the private sector needs to be educated on disease development, prevention and control, and the proper
use of chemicals; and the research-and-development sector needs to conduct more studies and find more
environment-friendly alternatives to chemicals. But we are hopeful that we have taken the first step.

The recommendations made in this volume were discussed by the Working Group on Environmental
Impacts on Coastal Aquaculture of GESAMP (IMO/FAO/UNESCO-IOC/WMO/WHO/IAEA/UN/UNEP
Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environment Protection) during its meeting
from 24 to 28 May 1996 also held at the SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department. The proceedings of that
meeting are contained in GESAMP Reports at Studies No. 65 entitled “Towards safe and effective use of
chemicals in coastal aquaculture” (GESAMP, 1997).

We thank our co-organizer, the Inland Water Resources and Aquaculture Service of the Food and
Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations; and our cooperators, the Network of Aquaculture
Centres in Asia and the Pacific (NACA), Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences
(JIRCAS), Taiwan Fisheries Research Institute, and the Canadian International Development Agency
(CIDA) through its ASEAN Canada Fund. The effort of my predecessor, Dr. Efren Ed. Flores, in
organizing this meeting is very much appreciated.

Rolando Platon, Ph.D.
Chief
SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

Foreword iii

Acknowledgments vii

REVIEW PAPERS

Chemicals in Asian aquaculture: need, usage, issues and challenges 1
Rohana P. Subasinghe, Uwe Barg, and Albert Tacon

Antibacterial chemotheraphy in aquaculture:
Review of practice, associated risks and need for action 7
Valerie Inglis

Ecological effects of the use of chemicals in aquaculture 23
Donald P. Weston

Transferable drug resistance plasmids in fish-pathogenic bacteria 31
Takashi Aoki

The use of chemicals in aquafeed 35
Mali Boonyaratpalin

Human health aspects of the use of chemicals in aquaculture,
with special emphasis on food safety and regulations 55
Palarp Sinhaseni, Malinee Limpoka, Ornrat Samatiwat

Preliminary review of the legal framework governing
the use of chemicals in aquaculture in Asia 61
Annick van Houtte

COUNTRY/AREA PAPERS

The use of chemicals in carp and shrimp aquaculture in Bangladesh,
Cambodia, Lao PDR, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Viet Nam 75
Michael Phillips

The use of chemicals in aquaculture in India 87
S.C. Pathak, S.K. Gosh and K. Palanisamy

The use of chemicals in aquaculture in Indonesia 113
Hambali Supriyadi and Akhmad Rukyani

Government regulations concerning the
use of chemicals in aquaculture in Japan 119
Mary N. Wilder
The use of chemicals in aquaculture in Malaysia and Singapore 127
Mohamed Shariff, Gopinath Nagaraj, F.H.C. Chua, Y.G. Wang

The use of chemicals in aquaculture in the People’s Republic of China 141
Jiang Yulin

The use of chemicals in aquaculture in the Philippines 155
Erlinda R. Cruz-Lacierda, Leobert de la Peña and
Susan Lumanlan-Mayo

The use of chemotherapeutic agents in shrimp hatcheries in Sri Lanka 185
P.K.M. Wijegoonawardena and P.P.G.S.N. Siriwardena

The use of chemicals in aquaculture in Taiwan, Province of China 193
I Chiu Liao, Jiin-Ju Guo and Mao-Sen Su

The use of chemicals in aquaculture in Thailand 207
Kamonporn Tonguthai

WORKSHOP SUMMARY 221

DISCUSSIONS 225

LISTS OF PARTICPANTS AND OBSERVERS 229

WORKING STAFF 235
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

AQUACHEM was funded by the Government of the Philippines through SEAFDEC Aquaculture
department, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, and the Canadian International
Development Agency through the ASEAN-Canada Fund. Dr. Efren Ed. C. Flores, former Chief of
SEAFDEC AQD, laid down the ground-work for the smooth conduct of the meeting as well as solicited
funds to support data gathering and travel of some participants from the ASEAN countries. We thank
Milagros T. Castaños and Renelle Ivy Y. Adan of the Development Communications Unit, SEAFDEC,
who helped in the lay-out of this proceedings.
REVIEW PAPERS
1
Chemicals in Asian Aquaculture:
Need, Usage, Issues and Challenges
Rohana P. Subasinghe, Uwe Barg, and Albert Tacon1
Fishery Resources Division
Fisheries Department
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Rome, Italy
ABSTRACT
This paper outlines the opening introductory presentation made at the “Expert Meeting on the
Use of Chemicals in Aquaculture in Asia,” which was held 20-22 May 1996 at the SEAFDEC
facilities in Tigbauan, Iloilo, the Philippines. Its purpose is to provide a balanced and realistic
perspective on the needs, issues and challenges with respect to the use of chemicals in Asian
aquaculture. We hope to assist participants in identifying development opportunities and in
differentiating real hazards from hypothetical threats to cultured organisms, end-users and the
environment as a consequence of chemical use. We do not attempt to provide answers to issues
related to chemicals in Asian aquaculture, but rather offer some basic directives and opportunities
to the workshop participants to assist them in their discussions and in the compilation of realistic
recommendations.
INTRODUCTION
During the past decade, world aquaculture production has grown tremendously, averaging and
annual growth rate of 9.4% during the period 1984-1994. Total world aquaculture production is
now on the order of 25.5 million mt, valued at $US 39.8 billion, and accounts for some 21.7% of
the total world fishery landings. China remains the largest producer, accounting for 60.4% of total
world production.
Although the culture of high-priced species such as shrimp and salmon often receives the lion’s
share of attention, it is important to note that low-value inland finfish (e.g., Indian major and
Chinese carps, tilapia, etc.) produced in extensive or semi-intensive culture systems comprise the
bulk of world aquaculture production. Crustaceans, by comparison, represent only 4.2% of total
aquaculture production by weight, and only 18.1% by value. Developing countries contribute
more than 86% of total world production, with LIFDCs (Low Income Food Deficient Countries)
accounting for more than 75% of the total. The LIFDCs contribute more than 80% of the world
finfish production, of which more than 95% is derived from inland freshwater fish culture. Production
from the LIFDCs continues to grow at an above average rate of some 13% annually, indicating
aquaculture’s real and potential contribution to providing low cost protein to those among the
world’s most impoverished sectors.
In aquaculture, as in all food production sectors, one of the external inputs required for successful
crop production is chemicals. In the most simple, extensive systems, this may be limited to fertilizers
(most often manure), while in more complex semi-intensive and intensive systems a wide range of
natural and synthetic compounds may be used. It is safe to say that, as in agriculture, chemicals
________________
1 The Oceanic Institute, Makapuu Point, 41-202 Kalanianaole Highway, Waimanalo, Hawaii 96795, USA.
2
are an essential “ingredient” to successful aquaculture, one which has been used in various forms
for centuries.
The purpose of this introductory presentation is to provide a balanced and realistic perspective on
the needs, issues and challenges with respect to the use of chemicals in Asian aquaculture. We
hope to assist in identifying development opportunities and in differentiating real hazards from
hypothetical threats to cultured organisms, end-users and the environment as a consequence of
chemical use. We will not attempt to provide answers to issues related to chemicals in Asian
aquaculture, but intend to offer some basic directives and opportunities to the workshop participants
to assist them in their discussions and in the compilation of realistic recommendations.
CHEMICALS IN AQUACULTURE
What are Chemicals?
There are many different classifications and working definitions of “chemicals” (see Van Houtte,
this volume). These include classification of “drug groups” (see Alderman and Michel 1992), the
classification provided by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES 1994), a
classification developed specifically for prawn culture (see Primavera et al. 1993), as well as various
working definitions for scientific and legal purposes. In aquaculture, chemicals can be classified by
the purpose of use, the type of organisms under culture, the life cycle stage for which they are used,
the culture system and intensity of culture, and by the type of people who use them.
Why are Chemicals Used in Aquaculture?
Chemicals have many uses in aquaculture, the types of chemicals used depending of the nature of
the culture system and the species being cultured. They are essential components in:
(cid:1) pond and tank construction,
(cid:1) soil and water management,
(cid:1) enhancement of natural aquatic productivity,
(cid:1) transportation of live organisms,
(cid:1) feed formulation,
(cid:1) manipulation and enhancement of reproduction,
(cid:1) growth promotion,
(cid:1) health management, and
(cid:1) processing and value enhancement of the final product.
The benefits of chemical usage are many. Chemicals increase production efficiency and reduce the
waste of other resources. They assist in increasing hatchery production and feeding efficiency, and
improve survival of fry and fingerlings to marketable size. They are used to reduce transport stress
and to control pathogens, among many other applications.
Concerns Regarding Chemical Usage
There are several important concerns with regard to the use of chemicals in aquaculture. These
include:
(cid:1) Human health concerns related to the use of feed additives, therapeutants, hormones,
disinfectants and vaccines.
(cid:1) Product quality concerns related to such issues as the occurrence of chemical residues in
Chemicals in Asian Aquaculture: Need, Usage, Issues and Challenges
3
aquaculture products, their use in the enhancement of product quality and in the preparation
of value-added products, the need for consumer protection from hazardous usage, and issues
surrounding consumer acceptance of the use of chemicals in the production of fish and
shellfish destined for human consumption.
(cid:1) Environmental concerns, such as the effects of aquaculture chemicals on water and sediment
quality (nutrient enrichment, loading with organic matter, etc.), natural aquatic communities
(toxicity, disturbance of community structure and resultant impacts on biodiversity), and
effects on microorganisms (alteration of microbial communities and the generation of drug-
resistant strains of bacteria).
(cid:1) The general lack of knowledge concerning the effects and fates of chemicals and their residues
in cultured organisms and within the aquaculture system itself. Similarly, information is
lacking on the actions and fate of chemicals used in aquaculture in the aquatic environment
in general (impacts on non-cultured organisms, sediments and the water column).
(cid:1) The lack of alternative means for chemical application. Development of highly specific targeted
chemicals that have reduced side effects and environmental implicates is needed. The availability
of affordable treatments suitable for aquaculture systems raising low-value species needs to
be improved.
Human health and environmental concerns regarding the use of chemicals in aquaculture are
reflected in the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (FAO 1995). In fact, the Code
calls upon States to:
(cid:1) Promote effective farm and fish health management practices favouring hygienic measures
and vaccines. Safe, effective and minimal use of therapeutants, hormones and drugs, antibiotics
and other disease control chemicals should be ensured. (Article 9.4.4).
(cid:1) Regulate the use of chemical inputs in aquaculture which are hazardous to human health and
the environment. (Article 9.4.5)
ISSUES AND OPPORTUNITIES
Future Issues
There a number of currents trends in global aquaculture which will continue to make the use of
chemicals a subject for future discussion and debate.
Increased market demands which create pressure for the production of high-value species such as
shrimp and salmon may, in turn, lead to increased intensification, more highly sophisticated culture
systems, and a corresponding increase in both responsible and irresponsible chemical usage.
Recent measures such as the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures
(GATT 1994) have a major impact on the conditions of international trade in aquaculture products,
both increasing the freedom of movement of products and requiring that exporting countries
meet uniform standards with regard to quality, production procedures, etc. Various organizations
have put forth real and suggested standards (via legislation, agreements, codes of conduct, guidelines,
etc.) in such areas as production procedures and ethics, minimal residue levels (MRLs), allowable
daily intakes (ADIs), withdrawal periods for chemicals used in treatment and prophylaxis, and for
standards for aquatic animal health.
For many of these issues, policy and legislation is rapidly advancing, outstripping the advances in