Some, however, still opt to use antibiotics and in doing so may unintentionally be contributing to one of the most serious public health challenges of modern times – antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which threatens the effective prevention and treatment of an ever-increasing range of infections that are caused by bacteria.
Though AMR is a natural phenomenon, its emergence and spread have been vastly accelerated by a culture of excessive antibiotic use, and the use of antibiotics in animal husbandry and the food supply chain is undoubtedly playing a part.
Most shrimp grow-out sites are exposed to the natural environment, which in the past has made it difficult for farmers to protect their stocks from harmful bacteria.
However, through considerable R&D, Skretting has confirmed that the right combination of novel functional ingredients in the shrimp feeds will work in synergy to support the functioning of the immune system and to help protect shrimp against hostile threats.
“Thanks to this knowledge and expertise, we have proved that shrimp farmers do not have to rely on antibiotics and risk building up AMR in their stocks,” says Dr Charles McGurk, Manager of Fish & Shrimp Health at Skretting Aquaculture Research Centre (ARC).
“The functional ingredients in our feeds enable shrimp farmers to take proactive steps that will support the primary defences of their stocks against environmental threats, while also playing their part in addressing the AMR challenge. At Skretting, we believe this is the way things should be done.”
Carlos Miranda, Managing Director of Skretting Ecuador, added: “Ecuador is rightly very proud of its shrimp farming industry. Its shrimp are sold throughout the world, including major consumer markets like the United States, the EU and China, which is a very strong position to be in and should be protected. Utilising our world-class R&D, including an unrivalled understanding of the dietary and health needs of aquaculture species, Skretting will continue to deliver innovative nutritional solutions that reinforce these efforts.”
Through its support of Ecuador’s shrimp industry and to help producers’ commercial activities become more proficient and cost-effective, Skretting provides sustainable feeds that deliver positive economic, environmental and social outcomes, as well as tools that can be used to measure progress.
“To ensure the best outcomes, Skretting seeks the best combination of ingredients as well as the ideal dosages. These complete diets – built up in a systematic way to consistently improve shrimp survival – are often the result of longstanding collaborative relationships with some of the world’s leading experts on shrimp diseases and shrimp health,” says Truls Dahl, Global Manager for Health Feeds at Skretting.
