Esther Eyram Agoba, Francis Adu, Christian Agyare* and Vivian Etsiapa Boamah
Background: Antibiotics may be used in fish farms to prevent or treat bacterial infections especially in hatcheries. This affects a wide range of bacteria and has potential impact on receiving water bodies and fish pathogens and has been reported to contribute to antibiotic resistance in other parts of the world but there is no available report from Ghana. Aim: This study was carried out to assess some fish farming practices among catfish and tilapia farmers which may contribute to antibiotic resistance. Method: Validated questionnaires were administered to 63 fish farmers and 9 fishery officers in six zones of the Ministry of Fisheries, Ashanti Region of Ghana. Results/Findings: Seventy three percent of farmers claimed not to use antibiotics on their farms. Three farmers (4.8%) used tetracycline on the fish farms whilst two hatchery farmers add antibiotics (tetracycline or chloramphenicol) to fish feed. 93.6% of respondents who use manure on fish farms use poultry manure from commercial poultry farms and use it mainly to fertilize fish ponds. Conclusion: Most of the fish farmers interviewed do not use antibiotics on fish farms, practices such as manure use and untreated waste disposal may contribute to antibiotic resistance on fish farms in Ghana.
