Parasitic Diseases and Estimation of Economic Losses Due to Infestation of Parasities in Aquaculture Ponds of Rupandehi, Nepal

Abstract

Parasites have major economic impacts on fisheries and aquaculture sector worldwide. Parasitic infestation causes the serious economical loss to the fish farmers. This research was conducted to determine the loss due to the infestation of parasites in Labeo rohita and Cirrhinus mrigala from aquaculture pond of Rupandehi, Nepal during the period from February to July 2016. The data were collected from four study areas (Nepal Government fishery development center, Bhairahawa; Mandal hatchery, Pathardada; and ponds of Dayanagar and Manmateria Village Development Committee) through a questionnaire survey and interviews; Direct observation and participatory rural appraisal tools like focus group discussions with the aquaculture farmers of the study area were also conducted to collect the data. A total of 77 ponds were visited and 136 pond farmers were interviewed during the study periods. The most prevalent diseases were Argulosis (37.66 %) followed by Red spot (14.28 %), Fungal disease (10.38 %), Unknown A (9.09%), Gill- rot (7.79%), unknown B (6.49 %), Dropsy (6.49%) Pisciculosis (5.19%) and Lerniasis (2.59 %). The total economic loss incurred due to the infestation of parasites was estimated to be NRS 48245.00/ha/yr. The overall loss due to parasitic diseases was calculated to be 7 % for mortality, 10 % for treatment cost and 83 % for reduction of growth of fishes in the study areas. Hence, elucidation of the pathogenesis of parasitic diseases as well as the development of efficient curative and effective preventive measures should be initiated to prevent the huge economic losses in aquaculture industry of Rupandehi.