UK technology and advice for Point of Need Diagnostic testing in Shrimp aquaculture (POND-SHRIMP)

Disease associated with White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) and Early Mortality Synrdome (EMS) together cause over $3bn annual losses to the global farmed shrimp industry. Current losses from these pathogens alone far exceed all shrimp products imported to the EU each year. Accurate detection and management of disease is central to poverty alleviation in producer nations and food security in net importing countries. A recent UKTI funded workshop on Disease in Aquaculture highlighted how so-called 'decentralised' testing (i.e. on farm) and reporting of data via smartphones has potential to dramatically improve health status of aquatic farms in Asia. Here, we will validate and apply a cutting edge UK-based technology (Genedrive) and a novel smartphone app to collect and transmit disease data from remote farms to centralised reference laboratories. By bringing together UK experts in diagnosis, pathology and epidemiology of WSD, with industry specialists, the aim is to drastically improve detection and management of economically damaging diseases in global aquaculture. We will contribute to poverty alleviation and food security agendas using UK-based technologies and expertise.