WWW.WAS.ORG • WORLD AQUACULTURE • DECEMBER 2025 63 • Other promising strategies include the use of antibacterial vaccines, antimicrobial peptides, probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, quorum sensing and biofilm inhibitors, and enzymes. Among these, affordable and easily deliverable vaccines against major fish pathogens are particularly desirable. Probiotics are gaining wide recognition as safe, beneficial microorganisms that not only suppress pathogens but also promote growth, improve health, enhance stress tolerance, and support reproduction in aquatic species without adverse effects on fish or humans (Chuah et al., 2016). • Medicinal plants and their derivatives have gained significant attention in aquaculture as cost-effective, eco-friendly alternatives to antibiotics and immunostimulants. They include herbs, spices, seaweeds, traditional medicines, and commercial plant-based products, with active compounds such as phenolics, essential oils, alkaloids, terpenoids, tannins, steroids and flavonoids. These compounds exhibit broad antimicrobial activity and enhance both innate and adaptive immune responses in aquatic animals, improving disease resistance. Common immunostimulants like β-glucans, alginates, and polysaccharides (sourced from yeast and seaweeds) are widely used through feed or immersion, especially in early life stages. • Chicken egg yolk immunoglobulin (IgY) is a stable, costeffective antibody used for passive immunisation in aquaculture, effective against pathogens like Vibrio, Aeromonas, and White Spot Disease. It provides protection in fish and shrimp through injection, immersion, or oral administration, showing strong therapeutic value for disease control (Bondad-Reantaso et al., 2023) there has been a concomitant increase in disease outbreaks. The injudicious and/ or incorrect use of antimicrobial agents against diseases of farmed aquatic species poses a considerable threat to the development and growth of a successful and sustainable aquaculture industry. An increase in antimicrobial resistance (AMR. Conclusion While antibiotics have played a pivotal role in advancing aquaculture by controlling bacterial infections and supporting growth, their misuse has fuelled resistance, environmental risks, and trade barriers. Sustainable aquaculture requires a balanced approach and judicious antibiotic use, combined with the adoption of eco-friendly alternatives such as probiotics, vaccines, plant-based products, and immunostimulants. Emphasizing prevention, host immunity, and environmentally responsible practices will be essential to ensure long-term productivity, food safety, and global market acceptance of aquaculture products. Notes Banothu Divya, Banoth Raveendar, Shiga Nagaraj, Konduri Arun and M. 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Sustainable aquaculture requires a balanced approach and judicious antibiotic use, combined with the adoption of eco-friendly alternatives such as probiotics, vaccines, plant-based products, and immunostimulants. Emphasizing prevention, host immunity, and environmentally responsible practices will be essential to ensure long-term productivity, food safety, and global market acceptance of aquaculture products.
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