Antibiotic Use in Aquaculture and Their Impact on the Aquatic Environment

Abstract

The rapid expansion of aquaculture through the intensification method has promoted numerous bacterial diseases which require the intensive use of antimicrobials. These compounds are mainly used for therapeutic, prophylactic, or metaphylactic in aquaculture meanwhile there are no antibiotics particularly designed for aquaculture and these compounds are authorized products used only for veterinary medicine. However, the frequent use of antibiotics in aquaculture has produced negative impacts including the development and spread of antimicrobial resistant bacteria and resistance genes and the presence of antimicrobial residues in aquaculture products and the environment. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major threat in aquaculture that has to be prevented by continuous monitoring programs such as proper guidelines, legislations and effective policies then have to be effectively followed by alternative strategies such as probiotics, vaccination, and herbal medicines. This article highlights the use of antimicrobials in aquaculture and their impacts in aquatic animal, human and aquatic environment.