Aquaculture biosecurity in Brazil: Assessment of tilapia fry hatcheries in the Federal District
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.20950/1678-2305/bip.2026.52.e1006Keywords:
Fish health management, Risk assessment, Water quality monitoring, Disease prevention, Sustainable aquaculture practicesAbstract
This study evaluated biosecurity practices in five tilapia fry hatcheries in the Federal District, Brazil, between August 2023 and August 2024. A semi-quantitative questionnaire with 89 items was applied, grouped into five thematic axes. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics (Chi-square and ANOVA), as well as relational analysis in R software. Results showed high compliance in water quality monitoring, feed management, and mortality records, but weaknesses were identified in quarantine protocols, visitor control, use of PPE, pest control programs, and sanitary fallowing. Statistical analysis found no significant differences among thematic groups (p>0.05) but revealed variation among farms (p<0.001), indicating the influence of individual management. The water quality axis showed the highest consistency, while equipment and vehicles exhibited greater heterogeneity. Compared to international benchmarks, results remain below standards from countries such as Norway and Chile, where traceability and transport protocols are strictly enforced. We conclude that biosecurity adoption in local hatcheries is partial and non-standardized, highlighting the need for stronger protocol harmonization, training, and infrastructure investments to enhance the sanitary resilience of the production chain.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Thiago Dias Trombeta, Carlos Antônio Zarzar, Ricardo da Silva Raposo, Vitória Pellilo, Matheus Santos Silva
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