Gill-associated virus and its association with decreased production of Penaeus monodon in Australian prawn farms

Gill‐associated virus (GAV) was found to be associated with decreased prawn, Penaeus monodon, production when prawns from three farms (n = 45 ponds, 1800 prawns) were monitored for GAV over the production season using a graded RT‐nPCR. The grading system used was a visualization of either the outer or inner nested PCR products. Prevalence and loading of GAV were associated with disease severity. Ponds with a higher initial prevalence and a larger increase in GAV load over the production period suffered disease outbreaks. Ponds with low initial prevalence of GAV but a larger increase in prevalence and large increase in load over the production period suffered chronic disease with no disease outbreak identified, yet low production. However, the ponds with moderate to low initial prevalence of GAV with a low increase in prevalence and load of GAV over the production period incurred no disease outbreak and comparatively high production. Ponds with GAV prevalence greater than 75% at 1 month post‐stocking should be considered for termination as they have a high probability (95%) of having a disease outbreak. Emergency harvest when a disease outbreak occurs will significantly limit mortality losses.