Although the main cause for these outbreaks was thought to be the introduction of an exotic viral pathogen, uncontrolled proliferation of farm operations and related aquatic environmental implications appear to have made a direct contribution. Currently, the shrimp culture sector in Sri Lanka is facing many of the problems previously encountered in other countries. The technical knowledge base of the majority of the shrimp farmers is very low and becoming increasingly so, as more small-scale farms are developed. These farms can be broken down by surface area as shown in Table 1. There appears to be some form of technical service available whereby farmer groups are visited by local consultants.
Large farms have well trained managers - often with overseas experience.
It is the lack of accurate information available to the farmers that results in inappropriate farming techniques, disease and production losses. Culture in full strength seawater is possible providing a regular water exchange regime is practiced. Alternatively culture should only take place during the monsoon or rainy season, to prevent excessive salinity in the ponds. Before these developments proceed further, it is important to establish the principle factors underlying the disease problems in the Sri Lankan shrimp industry. Basically, the Sri Lanka Government requires up to date information on the spatial distribution of shrimp farms in order to enforce development regulations and in order to ensure a productive environment for shrimp farming with the least impact on other uses of land and water resources.