Antibiotic Resistance in Bacteria from Penaeus vannamei Shrimp Farming: Challenges and Importance of Sustainable Aquaculture Practices in West Bengal, India

West Bengal has been playing a pivotal role in the Indian economy through its shrimp export, particularly Penaeus vannamei, thus providing livelihood for thousands in coastal regions. Antibiotic resistance in bacteria infesting shrimp farming poses significant threat to the aquaculture system and public safety. This study investigates the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in Penaeus vannamei (whiteleg shrimp) farmed in the Purba Medinipur district of West Bengal, India. Shrimp samples were collected from 48 aquaculture farms. The identified bacterial isolates were assayed for Antibiotic susceptibility testing against commonly used aquaculture antibiotics following the standard CLSI protocol. Results revealed a high prevalence of Multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) bacterial strains, particularly within the genera Vibrio, Aeromonas, Acinetobactor and Enterobacterales. These findings highlight the potential risk of antibiotic-resistant pathogen transmission to human consumers, raising the need for resilient aquaculture practices, including judicious antibiotic use and exploring alternative disease management strategies. The importance of routine monitoring of antibiotic resistance in aquaculture is strongly recommended to promote sustainable shrimp farming in West Bengal.