Biosecurity Education and Disease Prevention in Cantang Grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus × Epinephelus lanceolatus) Aquaculture in Bohe Silian Village, Maratua District

Sosialisasi Biosecurity dan Pencegahan Penyakit pada Budidaya Ikan Kerapu Cantang (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus × Epinephelus lanceolatus) di Kampung Bohe Silian, Kecamatan Maratua

Abstract

The aquaculture of cantang grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus × Epinephelus lanceolatus) using floating net pens is one of the fisheries potentials in Bohe Silian Village, Maratua District. One of the challenges faced by aquaculturists is the risk of fish diseases, which can reduce aquaculture productivity. This community service activity aims to improve farmers’ knowledge regarding the implementation of biosecurity and disease prevention in spotted grouper aquaculture. The BIOFISH (Biosecurity for Sustainable Fish Farming) program was conducted on July 31, 2026, targeting members of the Fish Farmers’ Group (Pokdakan). The methods used included educational-participatory training, interactive discussions, question-and-answer sessions, and evaluation via pre-tests and post-tests for 20 participants. The material covered the objectives of biosecurity, causes of fish diseases, fry quarantine, sanitation of aquaculture facilities, water quality management, recognition of disease symptoms, fish health monitoring, and the handling of sick and dead fish. The results of the activity showed that the participants’ average knowledge score increased from 80.00 ± 6.48 before the training to 95.00 ± 12.77 after the training. The results of the paired-sample t-test indicated that this increase was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Participants also actively discussed the aquaculture challenges they face. This activity demonstrated that biosecurity education effectively enhances aquaculturists’ knowledge of disease prevention in cantang grouper aquaculture. However, ongoing support is needed to ensure that this knowledge is consistently applied in daily aquaculture practices.