Shrimp production is becoming intensified globally up to high (eg 250/m2) and super intensive (eg 2,500 /m2) levels in some countries. This involves the use of plastic lined ponds, extensive water treatment, high energy and high-quality feed inputs. However, without high levels of biosecurity, these production systems are risky, difficult to control and inevitably fail. Whilst the concept of biosecurity at times seems simple to many, a biosecurity mindset in all team members and 100% compliance with biosecurity protocols 24/7 can be hard to maintain. The simplest of breaches in the biosecurity barrier within a high or super intensive farm can be the difference between success or failure.
In this study we overlayed a biosecurity mindset, biosecurity auditing system, training regime and standardized bio-secure operating procedures to super intensive L. vannamei production systems that had a track record of being high risk with low profitability, and were often found to be in an uncontrollable state. The implementation of these biosecurity processes delivered consistent de-risked reliable production outputs that when run efficiently resulted in a considerable increase in production and profitability. We will present the basic concepts and approach that can be applied to any high-density production system around the world that is challenged with unreliable, unprofitable production resulting from sub-optimal biosecurity practices.