High levels of antibiotic resistance have been detected in Bangladesh's farmed pabda fish (Ompok pabda), according to new research published in ScienceDirect, raising concerns for the export market and public health, reports Mongabay.

The study found resistance rates of up to 95% for common antibiotics in the fish, which contributes 20,000 metric tons to Bangladesh's annual aquaculture production. Researchers identified unregulated antibiotic use in feed and agricultural runoff as key drivers.

Experts have called for stricter oversight of antibiotic use in the sector, which produces 58% of Bangladesh's total fish output, according to data from the Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute.