Applying science and technology to control aquatic breeds

Effective solution to improve shrimp breed quality

In recent years, climate change has become complicated, leading to many new diseases and viruses that cause shrimp to die quickly, causing heavy losses to farmers.

To minimize risks and improve shrimp farmers' efficiency, checking shrimp breeds' quality before stocking is essential. SABIO Aquaculture Technology Solutions Joint Stock Company is a pioneer in researching and applying solutions to improve shrimp breed quality and effectively screen and prevent diseases in commercial shrimp farming.

On March 9, SABIO Company coordinated with Binh Thuan Shrimp Association to launch a shrimp disease testing branch in Vinh Hao commune, Tuy Phong district, Binh Thuan. SABIO Company introduced the real-time PCR testing machine product to participating delegates.

Mr. Nguyen Tan Sy, Chairman of the Board of Directors of SABIO Fisheries Technology Solutions Joint Stock Company, said that the Real-time PCR testing machine can test for 50 aquatic diseases, including 21 diseases on shrimp.

This testing machine gives almost accurate results and quickly. After 72 minutes of extracting the DNA sample and putting it into the PCR machine, the results will be delivered accurately, helping aquaculture farmers identify the disease.

"If other methods are used, aquaculture farmers must wait until the disease appears before testing. With SABIO's Real-time PCR machine, aquaculture farmers can identify pathogens and take preventive measures as soon as pathogens are present. Finding the disease earlier helps aquaculture farmers have effective treatment measures," Mr. Sy said.

Mr. Sy added that the results are relatively slow if conventional testing methods are used like today. Aquaculture farmers often have to wait several days to get results, the accuracy is not high, and the cost is high.

On the contrary, if using a real-time PCR machine, aquaculture farmers can be proactive in veterinary work, helping to reduce waiting time and testing costs and providing good support for the shrimp industry and the seafood industry in general.

"Because the testing machine is tiny, each facility can quickly equip, self-test, and prove the breed's origin. This method helps avoid ambiguity and lack of information, helps standardize input breed sources, and ensures disease-free breeding areas," Mr. Sy emphasized.

Currently, Binh Thuan is one of the provinces with the top shrimp breed production in the country. According to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development statistics, local shrimp breed production on the market amounts to about 25 billion shrimp annually.

Establishing a branch by SABIO Company in the South Central province will help hatcheries check and monitor quality, thereby providing quality, disease-free varieties to the market. Shrimp breeders and commercial shrimp farmers also reduce risks and increase profits.

Bringing the shrimp breed production industry back to its position

Mr. Nguyen Hoang Anh, Chairman of Binh Thuan Shrimp Association, stated that the amount of local shrimp breed provided accounts for about 25% of the country's shrimp breed production. Therefore, even a tiny change in shrimp breeding facilities has the risk of affecting the entire shrimp industry.

In recent years, disease outbreaks in shrimp breeds and commercial shrimp have become complicated in all provinces and cities across the country. However, shrimp farmers and purchasing businesses currently need effective prevention solutions. All are facing many challenges and huge losses.

In that context, launching a real-time PCR testing machine is necessary, according to Mr. Hoang Anh. Real-time PCR testing machines can identify new strains of bacteria to promptly provide warnings and recommendations to hatcheries and shrimp farmers, providing timely treatment solutions when an epidemic occurs.

Despite having many members and being well-invested, the representative of Binh Thuan Shrimp Association admitted that the unit faces significant challenges in the face of epidemics, climate change, and market fluctuations.

"When a new epidemic occurs, in addition to expertise and experience, we want to have new technologies and quickly update information and solutions to fight," Mr. Hoang Anh shared.

The shrimp disease testing branch was located by SABIO Company in Tuy Phong district in March 2024, right before the primary farming season, making Binh Thuan shrimp farmers excited. Shrimp farmers in the province want to convey this information to many farming households nationwide.

The Chairman of Binh Thuan Shrimp Association believes that sharing information and shrimp farming solutions, combined with close coordination between parties, will help the shrimp industry develop effectively and sustainably.

Mr. Nguyen Van Chien, Deputy Director of Binh Thuan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, admitted that despite the large output, the province's shrimp breeding industry needs to catch up with technology compared to some regions.

He wants businesses and shrimp breeders to unite for stronger development orientations, creating large-scale production areas with more shrimp breed output worthy of being the country's leading production center for shrimp breeds.

"Currently, many diseases in shrimp have been discovered and treated. New diseases have appeared, and we are looking for solutions to treat them. Therefore, we hope that the development process of the shrimp breed industry will have effective support from technology in the early identification of new diseases. These solutions will accompany shrimp farmers, helping to achieve effective and sustainable goals," Mr. Chien assessed.