A devastating parasite named Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei, or EHP, has been pinpointed by experts at the State Institute of Fisheries Technology (SIFT-Kakinada) as the primary culprit behind the widespread deaths and stunted growth plaguing shrimp farms in the Godavari region. This relentless pathogen has already impacted an alarming 50,000 acres of shrimp ponds, leading to substantial financial setbacks for farmers in recent weeks.
S. Anjali, who serves as both the Principal of SIFT and Additional Director of the Fisheries Department, confirmed the troubling discovery this past Saturday. ‘EHP disease has been unequivocally identified in samples taken from affected shrimp ponds throughout the Godavari region,’ she stated. The infection, she added, is believed to spread primarily through contaminated shrimp seed during transportation from hatcheries to ponds, with existing pond contamination further exacerbating the problem.
To combat this severe outbreak, Ms. Anjali issued urgent advice to local farmers: completely harvest any remaining shrimp and allow their ponds to dry thoroughly for several weeks. This crucial step aims to eradicate the infection from the environment before considering restocking for future crops.
Echoing these concerns, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema District Collector, R. Mahesh Kumar, urged farmers in an official statement to submit their shrimp and water samples to SIFT-Kakinada for prompt testing. This proactive measure is vital to prevent additional losses. Meanwhile, District Fisheries Officer P.V. Srinivasa Rao and his team are diligently tracking the disease’s progression across the district to ensure timely intervention.