Use of Chemicals and Biological Products in Aquaculture in Bangladesh

Abstract

The study attempt to document the chemicals and biological products that are in use in fish and shrimp culture in Bangladesh. Interviews were conducted with fish and shrimp farmers in Mymensingh aquaculture region, and two major shrimp producing regions, Khulna and Coxs Bazar. The study documented the use of 55 different chemicals and biological products in aquaculture in Bangladesh. The most commonly used products were vitamins and minerals (18), disinfectants (10), therapeutants (9) and water treatment compounds (8). Farmers in Mymensingh area were found to use 8 different chemicals and biological products, while the shrimp farmers in the south-western region (Khulna) used large number of such products than farmers in the other two regions. Laboratory trial of some of these products done by Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute and the results are summarized in the paper.