Benefits of stocking white spot syndrome virus infection free shrimp (Penaeus monodon) post larvae in extensive ghers of Bangladesh

The study showed that WSSVF PL users had significantly small ghers, higher levels of better management practices (BMP) compliance such as nursery rearing of PL, double netting at inlet, periodic sampling, net fencing and bird netting, significantly higher application rates and usage amount of inputs (lime, inorganic fertilizer, feed) compared to NT PL users. It also found that gher size, water depth, stocking density, stocking frequency, cropping patterns affected levels of shrimp survival, production and disease incidence of the overall population. The results suggested that improving the availability of WSSVF PL through a PCR testing service, production of specific pathogen free PL and limit/stop the sale of WSSV infected PLs could significantly increase shrimp production of extensive gher holders.