Why Probiotics are a Better, Safer Alternative to Antibiotics and Chemicals to Improve Fish Farm Yields
The use of antibiotics and chemicals in aquaculture has come under great scrutiny in recent years. As consumers are demanding seafood products that are raised in an environmentally-friendly manner, they’re seeking seafood that is organic and free of antibiotics and chemicals. For aquaculture producers, this new pressure requires innovative solutions for the old problems of fish waste, water quality, and disease control.
Detrimental Use of Antibiotics in Fish Farming
The problems caused by the overuse of antibiotics in livestock production have been well documented. The overuse has been shown to significantly reduce the effectiveness of antibiotics in humans and have created antibiotic-resistant superbugs – a major health risk. According to an April 2019 report from the United Nations Ad Hoc Interagency Coordinating Group on Antimicrobial Resistance, antibiotic-resistant diseases could cause 10 million deaths each year by 2050.
Although measures are being taken to control and reduce antibiotic use in farm animals (chickens, pigs, cows), this is mostly uncharted territory, for fish and shrimp farming and the aquaculture industry as a whole. The overuse of antibiotics in aquaculture is believed to be contributing to similar resistance issues in seafood.
Dangerous Chemicals in Aquaculture
In order to grow more fish or shrimp in smaller spaces, many potentially dangerous chemicals have been used in aquaculture. The chemicals are used to control disease, enhance growth, improve water quality, dissolve harmful pathogens, etc.
Some potentially dangerous chemicals used in aquaculture include: pesticides (for disease treatment), fertilizers (to stimulate phytoplankton bloom), potassium permanganate (to treat external protozoa and external bacteria infections), formalin (as an external parasiticide), malachite green (used as a parasiticide and fungicide and is a suspected carcinogen), and sodium chloride (as a fungal and parasite treatment).
Many of these chemicals persist for months or years. They have the potential to negatively impact aquatic ecosystems, human health and the overall environment.
Probiotics Offer a Natural Alternative for Better Aquaculture Outcomes
Probiotics provide many of these same benefits, but in a natural, sustainable, environmentally-friendly way, and often at a sustainably-lower cost.
In fact, probiotics are often referred to as the counterpart of antibiotics. While antibiotics are chemical compounds produced by living organisms, probiotics are defined as live organisms, which contribute to intestinal microbial balance.
As a natural alternative for fish farmers, probiotics have been scientifically shown to:
• improve water quality
• inhibit pathogens
• strengthen the immune system
• reduce disease
• promote growth
• improve digestion
• promote better reproduction
QB Labs Offers US-Made Probiotic Water Treatment Products
If you are looking for probiotic solutions for water treatment or aquaculture problems, please contact us today for more information.
We are an industry-leading bioscience organization that creates cutting-edge microbial and probiotic water treatment solutions. For 20+ years, our US-made, beneficial bacteria-based water treatment products have been used worldwide for various applications in a broad range of industries.
We manufacture our beneficial bacteria-based products both under our own QB brand, as well as through private label arrangements with distributors around the world. We offer wholesale products in concentrate or bulk. We also offer custom formulations as well as contract packaging, international registration expertise, labeling and logistical support. Please contact us for more information.