The sustainability and development of shrimp aquaculture are largely at stake as significantecological and pathological problems are increasing in the vast majority of the shrimp producingcountries. Prevention and control of diseases are now the priority for the durability of thisindustry. Within the past decade, intensification of the shrimp production, based on progress inzootechnology, has increased but with little corresponding increase in scientific knowledge ofshrimp physiology. Within this field, shrimp immunology is a key element in establishingstrategies for the control of diseases in shrimp aquaculture. Research needs to be directed towardsthe development of assays to evaluate and monitor the immune state of shrimp. The establishmentof regular immune checkups will permit the detection of shrimp immunodeficiencies but also tohelp monitor and improve environment quality. For this, immune effectors must be first identifiedand characterised. In the end, however, the assumption may be made that the sustainability ofaquaculture will depend on the selection of disease-resistant shrimp, i.e. to develop research inimmunology and genetics at the same time.The development of strategies for prophylaxis and control of shrimp diseases could be aided bythe establishment of a collaborative network to contribute to progress in basic knowledge ofpenaeid immunity. However, to improve efficiency, it appears essential also to open this networkto complementary research areas related to shrimp pathology, physiology, genetics and environ-ment. q 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
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