Diseases have been recognized as the major obstacle to the shrimp ( Penaeus monodon ) and prawn ( Macrobrachium rosenbergii ) aquaculture production in Bangladesh. This study provides an assessment of shrimp and prawn diseases/syndromes, health management practices, and occupational health hazards associated with the handling of chemical and biological products to prevent and treat shrimp and prawn diseases. A survey was conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire with 380 shrimp and prawn farmers in the southwest of Bangladesh during February and June of 2016. The farms were categorized on the basis of the three cropping patterns: shrimp polyculture, prawn polyculture, and shrimp and prawn polyculture. Eight different diseases and/or symptoms were reported by the surveyed farmers. The white spot disease and the broken antenna and rostrum symptom were the most common in shrimp and prawn species, respectively. In total, 35 chemical and biological products (4 antibiotics, 15 disinfectants, 13 pesticides, 2 feed additives and probiotics) were used to treat and/or prevent diseases in the all farm categories. The major constraints for disease management were limited access to disease diagnostic service, inadequate product application information and lack of knowledge on better management practices. Handling chemicals and preparation of medicated feed with bare hands was identified as a potential occupational health hazard. This study suggests improvements in farmers’ knowledge and skill in disease diagnostics and health management practices, and appropriate handling of potentially hazardous chemicals.

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An investigation was made on prevalence of the parasite Genarchopsis dasus in the fish Channa punctatus of Mymensingh, Bangladesh to determine the infestation and seasonal variation. The experiment was carried out from December 2009 to November 2010. A total of 379 parasites were collected from 235 host fish. The prevalence of G. dasus was higher in July and lower in September and October. The highest prevalence (83.3%) was in rainy season and the lowest (45.5%) in autumn. The highest intensity of G. dasus was in July and the lowest in December, and the highest and lowest intensity was in rainy and winter seasons, respectively. The prevalence was highest in intermediate length fish (67.0%), where the lowest (54.9%) was in small fish. Intensity was highest in intermediate length fish. The higher prevalence (90%) and intensity (4.3) was in female during rainy season. The lower prevalence (32%) and mean intensity (1.1) was in male during autumn. The highest ratio of mature: immature was in summer (30 : 37), the highest percentage of mature worms was in summer and the highest proportion of immature worms in autumn. The stomach contained most worms (72.8%) and the lowest proportion (6.6%) was in anterior portion of intestine. (Bangl. vet.

The experiment was conducted to appraise the level of Cr, Pb, Cd, Ni, Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn contamination in 15 sediment samples of upstream of Turag river, at the Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh. The concentrations of Cr, Pb, Cd, Ni, Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn were 178.0, 18.3, 0.8, 155.4, 194.1, 54.8, 13679 and 5501.6 µg g-1 and the pH and EC ranged from 2.01-7.85 and 391-3910µS cm-1, respectively. Heavy metal concentrations were compared with geochemical background and standard values of previous report on the Turag and other rivers in Bangladesh. The average concentrations of Cr, Zn and Ni in sediments of the Turag are almost twice of the geochemical background i.e. average worldwide shale standard and continental upper crust. Cadmium is about three times higher than the geochemical background values.  Chromium and Ni concentration exceeded the severe effect level (SEL), where as Cd, Zn and Cu exceeded toxicity reference values (TRV). The average Enrichment Factors (EFc) for Mn, Cd, Cr and Ni reflected moderate to extremely contaminated pollution. The pollution load index (PLI) varied from 1.65 to 3.21. The geoaccumulation index (Igeo) for Mn of 11 locations and Cd for a single location were greater than 2.0, and exhibited moderately to strongly polluted sediment quality. The Igeo for Zn in two locations and Ni in one location were greater than 1.0, indicated moderately polluted sediment quality. Sediment pollution load signaled alarming condition for city dwellers and aquatic ecosystem of the Turag river. Pollution sources to be sealed immediately and continuous monitoring on pollution prevention and cleanup operation is suggested.Progressive Agriculture 27 (2): 78-85, 2016

An investigation was carried out on fish landing centers, fish markets and fish fauna of the Mymensingh town to   overview the location of the fish landing/entering centers, the source of supply and availability of fisheries organisms   in Mymensingh town. The investigation was conducted from October 2009 to September 2010 in sixteen landing   centers and markets of Mymensingh town. Among a total of 122 species of fishes were available of which, 113 were   finfish and 9 were shellfish. Out of 113 finfish, 85 were freshwater fish species, 14 were exotic species, 14 were   marine species, 7 were prawn /shrimps and 2 were mud crab and tortoise. Different types of freshwater fish, marine   fish, crustacean and dry fish were found in Mymensingh town. The most abundant freshwater fish species were Catla   catla, Labeo rohita, Clarias batrachus, Cirrhinus cirrhosus, Channa punctatus. Among the marine fishes Lates   calcarifer, Euthynnus affinis and Mugil cephalus were recorded. The shellfishes, Macrobrachium rosenbergii and   Penaeus monodon were most abundant. Significant amount of carps were imported from inside and outside of the   districts. Besides the carps, small quantities of other fish, e.g, hilsha, catfish, tilapia, small indigenous fish, prawn and   shrimp and other fish including marine can be seen in the fish landing centers and fish markets in Mymensingh town.   Trains, buses, trucks and pickups were used as transport of fish to the landing centers from outside of Mymensingh   town. Virtually most of the fish (84.6 %) were brought from different areas of the district and adjacent district like   Netrokona, Jamalpur, Gazipur and Kishoreganj. The rest (15.4 %) were brought from external source in Mechhua   bazar, Natun bazar, Sankipara bazar, Charpara bazar and Kathgola bazar. Main source of the fishes were different   ponds, haors, beels and rivers of Mymensingh and adjacent districts.   DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbau.v9i2.11046   ]J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 9(2): 311–318, 2011