<p>In the backdrop of sudden population explosion, food security threatens the lives of the future generations. Dr. James Anderson, Director of the Institute for Sustainable Food Systems at the University of Florida, recently stated in a conference that the future growth to meet the needs of a rapidly growing population must come from aquaculture. </p><p>Seafood is a vital source of food for people and the single most important source of high-quality protein. It was once considered that the oceans are limitless and would harbor enough fish to feed an ever-increasing human population. However, the demands of a growing population, have outrun the sustainable yield of the seas. Aquaculture however has grown rapidly to address the shortfalls in capture fisheries. Hence, as wild fish stocks have depleted, future growth in seafood production is expected to come from aquaculture. </p><p>It is predicted that by 2030, 50 per cent of the total fish harvest will come from aquaculture. Tilapia and shrimp farming will likely increase by 90 per cent and most of the major growth will come from India, Latin America and South East Asia. </p><blockquote class="style-3"><p> All this would only be possible by consistent and sustainable aquacultural development. One of the major factors that adversely impacts aquacultural development are diseases and infections. Hence, attaining a control over these parameters and maintaining the health of shrimps and fishes could drastically help improve the quality and quantity of yield. </p></blockquote><p>Growth of aquaculture industry has accelerated recently, however its development is greatly dependent on finding means to control the spread of infectious diseases without harming the aquatic organisms. Major outbreaks of viral, bacterial and fungal infections have resulted in significant losses to aqua farmers worldwide and are also raising concerns among consumers. One of the main reasons of proliferation of pathogenic microbes are the poor environmental conditions in the ponds. The water quality can also result in significant stock mortality. </p><p>Poor pond environment conditions result due to overfeeding or presence of high organic loads from fish waste and other sources in the water. The dissolved oxygen levels in the pond also decrease significantly and all these conditions can act as major stress for the fishes. Stressed fishes are highly susceptible to infections. Poor water quality and an abundant nutrient load also provide optimum conditions for the proliferation of pathogenic microbes. </p><p>Water probiotics, though a new trend in aquaculture, is gaining much importance due to its role in improving aquaculture outputs and improving pond water parameters, sustainably. These beneficial microbes can enhance water and bottom soil quality, improve the production and increase profits of farmers. Improving the water conditions directly impacts the survival and production of shrimps and fishes