Evaluation of Biosecurity Protocols in Commercial Catfish Farms in Oyo State

Disease outbreaks in commercial catfish farms represent the most significant single cause of production loss in Nigeria's aquaculture sector, yet the implementation of biosecurity protocols at farm level in Oyo State remains poorly evaluated. This study assesses the biosecurity practices of 60 commercial catfish farms in Ibadan, Ogbomoso, and Oyo town through structured biosecurity audits and interviews with farm managers. Biosecurity elements evaluated included farm perimeter security, visitor and vehicle control, water source management, quarantine procedures for new stock, feed hygiene, equipment disinfection, mortality management, and disease record keeping. A standardised biosecurity scoring system adapted from international aquaculture health management guidelines was applied to each farm. Results showed that overall biosecurity compliance scores ranged from 14% to 61%, with a mean of 38%. Perimeter security and visitor control were the most neglected categories, scoring below 20% on average. Quarantine of new stock before introduction to production ponds was practised by only 22% of farms. Disease record keeping was absent in 78% of farms surveyed. Farms with trained aquaculture managers scored significantly higher on biosecurity indices than owner-managed operations. The study demonstrates widespread deficiencies in farm-level biosecurity across the Oyo State commercial catfish industry and provides a prioritised recommendation framework for the Oyo State Aquaculture Association to develop a minimum biosecurity standard for certified farm membership.

Keywords: biosecurity, catfish farms, disease management, farm audit, Oyo State