Shrimp Farming and the Environment

Recognising that challenges for better management of shrimp aquaculture around the world are complex, and that improved practices often result from identifying and analysing lessons learned and exchanging such information, a Consortium Program entitled "Shrimp Farming and the Environment" has been developed. The partners are the World Bank, the Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific (NACA), the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

The consortium supported 35 complementary case studies prepared by more than 100 researchers in more than 20 shrimp farming countries. These cases have been developed through consultation with numerous stakeholders throughout Asia, Africa and the Americas. Cases range from specific interventions within single operations to thematic reviews of key issues in shrimp aquaculture. The cases have been presented and discussed at more than 150 meetings and workshops worldwide. The goal of the cases is to document and analyse experience around the world in order to better understand what works, what doesn't and why.

The Consortium Program is based on the recommendations of the FAO Bangkok Technical Consultation on Policies for Sustainable Shrimp Culture , the World Bank review on Shrimp Farming and the Environment, and an April 1999 meeting on shrimp management practices hosted by NACA and WWF in Bangkok, Thailand.

There are six objectives to the Consortium Program:

1. Generate a better understanding of key issues involved in sustainable shrimp aquaculture.

2. Encourage a debate and discussion around these issues that leads to consensus among stakeholders regarding key issues.

3. Identify better management strategies for sustainable shrimp Aquaculture.

4. Evaluate the cost for adoption of such strategies as well as other potential barriers to their adoption.

5. Create a framework to review and evaluate successes and failures in shrimp aquaculture which can inform policy debate on management strategies for sustainable shrimp aquaculture.

6. Identify future development activities and assistance required for the implementation of improved management strategies that would support the development of a more sustainable shrimp aquaculture industry.

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Technical publications

NACA publishes technical papers and manuals for a wide variety of farming systems and related environmental and social issues. Many of these provide guidance on better management practices with a view to improving crop outcomes and on-farm resource utilisation efficiency. By using inputs such as feed and power more efficiently, farmers can simultaneously improve their profitability and environmental performance.

In this collection

Principes Internationaux pour l'Elevage Responsable de la Crevette

L'élevage de la crevette est l’un des secteurs d'aquaculture le plus en essor dans beaucoup de régions du monde, il est également l’un des plus controversés. L'expansion rapide de ce secteur a généré, certes, des sources de revenus pour plusieurs pays, mais elle a été accompagnée par une préoccupation croissante sur les impacts environnemental et social. Les Principes Internationaux pour l'Elevage Responsable de la Crevette fournissent la base sur laquelle les parties prenantes peuvent collaborer pour un développement plus durable de l'élevage de crevette.

负责任虾类养殖国际准则

在世界许多地方,虾类养殖是水产养殖业增长最快,而且也是最具争 议的部门之一。这一部门的快速发展为许多国家创造了收入,但也伴随着 对环境和社会影响的忧虑。《负责任虾类养殖国际准则》在以更可持续的 方式发展虾类养殖方面为利益相关者之间开展合作提供了基础。《国际准 则》由虾类养殖与环境协作计划制定。该协作包括联合国粮食及农业组织 (粮农组织)、亚太水产养殖中心网、联合国环境规划署保护海洋环境免 受陆上活动污染全球行动纲领协调办公室、世界银行和世界自然基金会。

Princípios Internacionais para a Carcinicultura Responsável

O Cultivo de Camarão é um dos setores de mais rápido crescimento na aqüicultura em várias partes do mundo e também o mais controverso. A rápida expansão deste setor possibilitou a geração de renda para muitos países, entretanto, ela tem sido acompanhada por crescentes preocupações sobre seus impactos ambientais e sociais. Os Princípios Internacionais para a Carcinicultura Responsável provêm a base sobre a qual todas as partes interessadas poderão colaborar para um desenvolvimento mais sustentável do cultivo de camarão.

Principios Internacionales para el Cultivo Responsable de Camarón

El cultivo de camarón es uno de los sectores de la acuicultura de más rápido crecimiento y también uno de los más polémicos en muchas partes del mundo. La rápida expansión de este sector generó ingresos para muchos países, pero ha estado acompañada por preocupaciones crecientes relacionadas con sus impactos ambientales y sociales. Los Principios Internacionales para el Cultivo Responsable de Camarón proporcionan las bases sobre las cuales los diversos participantes pueden colaborar en pro de un desarrollo más sostenible de la camaronicultura.

Principles to practice

Two in-country projects, in India and Vietnam, have provided good examples of translating the International Principles on Responsible Shrimp Farming into specific better management practices (BMPs) adapted to local farming conditions and ensuring their implementation by relevant stakeholders. The results range from improved yields, less impact on the environment, wholesome products, and better relations among players in the market chain. In short, the implementation of the BMPs has provided benefits to the farmers, environment and society.

International Principles for Responsible Shrimp Farming

Shrimp farming is one of the fastest growing aquaculture sectors in many parts of the world and also one of the most controversial. Rapid expansion of this sector generated income fo many countries, but has been accompanied by rising concerns over environmental and social impacts. The International Principles for Responsible Shrimp Farming provide the basis upon which stakeholders can collaborate for a more sustainable development of shrimp farming.

หลักปฏิบัติระหว่างประเทศว่าด้วยการเลี้ยงกุ้งอย่างรับผิดชอบ

Shrimp farming is one of the fastest growing aquaculture sectors in many parts of the world and also one of the most controversial. Rapid expansion of this sector generated income fo many countries, but has been accompanied by rising concerns over environmental and social impacts. The International Principles for Responsible Shrimp Farming provide the basis upon which stakeholders can collaborate for a more sustainable development of shrimp farming.

Good practices for community-based planning and management of shrimp aquaculture in Sumatra, Indonesia

The case study for this report was conducted in the coastal village Pematang Pasir, Sumatra, Indonesia. Pematang Pasir hosts a pilot project promoting environmentally and responsible shrimp aquaculture implemented by the Indonesian Coastal Resources Management Project. This paper describes the lessons learned to date and offers strategies for community-based coastal resource management, which can be used in a broader perspective as more general guidelines for community-based and participatory development of shrimp aquaculture in marginalised coastal areas.

Science and society in the Gulf of Fonseca: The changing history of mariculture in Honduras

Shrimp farming in southern Honduras has generated considerable controversy around the issues of natural resource access and management. This case study reviews the reasons for and history of that controversy. The study relies on an extensive literature review and insights from the author’s previous research trips to southern Honduras between 1991 and 2000. In addition, representatives from several government offices, the shrimp industry, and the primary nongovernmental organisations were interviewed in May 2000.

Shrimp aquaculture in Africa and the Middle East: The current reality and trends for the future

This case study reviews shrimp aquaculture development in East Africa and the Middle East, as well as the problems and prospects for future development. Given that shrimp aquaculture development has not yet occurred on any significant scale, although increasing, it should be possible to learn the lessons from other parts of the world and apply them in these contexts. The countries in this report are: Egypt, Iran, Mozambique, Madagascar with some information on other countries in both regions.

Shrimp Farming and the Environment: A Consortium Program to Analyse and Share Experiences on the Better Management of Shrimp Aquaculture in Coastal Areas

This report provides details of the activities and outcomes of work conducted under the World Bank, NACA, WWF and FAO consortium program on Shrimp Farming and the Environment. The report synthesises the major findings of the consortium program from 1999-2002. It includes the outcome from a stakeholder workshop that discussed the program findings, hosted by the World Bank in Washington DC, in March 2002.

Cultivo de Camarón y Medio Ambiente: Un programa en consorcio "Para analizar y compartir experiencias a fin de mejorar el manejo de la acuicultura de camarón en las áreas costeras"

Este reporte da detalles de las actividades y resultados del trabajo conducido bajo el Programa en Consorcio del Banco Mundial, NACA, WWF y FAO sobre “Cultivo de Camarón y el Medio Ambiente”. Este reporte sintetiza los resultados más importantes del programa del consorcio desde 1999 hasta marzo de 2002. Incluye los resultados de los talleres de usuarios que discutieron los resultados del programa, auspiciados por el Banco Mundial en Washington, DC, en marzo de 2002. 

Evaluation of Belize Aquaculture Ltd: A superintensive shrimp aquaculture systesm

Belize Aquaculture, Ltd., has developed a superintensive shrimp aquaculture system operating in lined ponds with heavy mechanical aeration and water recirculation. The pilot study has been in progress for two years. Shrimp production has ranged from less than 8,000 kg/ha to more than 20,000 kg/ha per crop. Because the Belize Aquaculture, Ltd., production system appears to address a number of the environmental impacts of traditional shrimp aquaculture systems, a case study of this unique system was conducted.

Shrimp aquaculture, the people and the environment in coastal Mexico

This report reviews the state of shrimp aquaculture developent in Mexico, including its impact on employment, complexities surrounding coastal property rights, investment and health issues. Regulation and monitoring of the industry are still in their infancy, but SEMARNAP is putting in place a system that may be able to ensure that aquaculture will be sustainable. More effective involvement of the NGO community in the aquaculture sector may also help to monitor and ensure compliance with environmental regulations.

Economics of better management practices for semi-intensive shrimp farms in Honduras and shrimp cooperatives in Nicaragua

Several stakeholder groups have formulated and recommended the implementation of better management practices (BMPs)aimed at improving production efficiency and/or ameliorating impacts of shrimp farming on the environment. In this study, an economic optimisation model with an environmental component was used to evaluate the effects of five specific BMPs on the profitability, optimal selection of management strategies, and net quantities of nutrients discharged by semi-intensive shrimp farms in Honduras and small-scale operations in Honduras and Nicaragua.

Silvofishery farming systems in Ca Mau Province, Vietnam

This case study provides (1) a description of the farming systems and management practices for mixed shrimp aquaculture-mangrove farming systems in the Mekong delta of Vietnam and (2) the findings from a detailed socio-economic study of these systems. The findings provide insight into the social and economic status of farmers involved in mixed aquaculture-mangrove farming, and the constraints associated with the adoption of management recommendations, with special consideration of the problems faced by poor farmers.

An evaluation of rice-shrimp farming systems in the Mekong Delta

The integration of dry season shrimp farming into rice fields has raised incomes over several consecutive seasons for many farmers in the region. However, our study has revealed some key constraints that need to be addressed in order improve environmental and economic sustainability. The results of our study show that the traditional practice of recruiting native shrimp species through water exchange is not sustainable because of the attendant build-up of sedimentation on the farm.

Shrimp farming in Rushan County, China (abstract)

This case study is based on a farm survey of 41 farms out of the total 340 farms in the Rushan County. The results presented in this paper highlight two main problems. The first issue revolves around labor cost statistics. The value of labor cost during the culture period forms a larger than proportionate ratio of total variable cost. The second problem lies in the high fixed cost incurred by rehabilitated farms.

Shrimp aquaculture management in Bangladesh (abstract)

This case study is based on review of existing publications/reports and stakeholder consultations. It is divided into three main sections, namely: 1) Background review on shrimp aquaculture in Bangladesh. 2) Results from a case study of farm management practices, hatcheries and wild shrimp fry collection and 3) Results from a case study on the social aspects of shrimp aquaculture, based on detailed local level studies in the Khulna region.

The environmental management of shrimp farming in Australia

In Australia, strict Commonwealth and state environmental regulations have constrained development of shrimp farming. A high level of resources, relative to the size and value of the industry, has been devoted to collaborative research on the environmental management of shrimp farming in Australia. The research findings are being used to provide a scientific basis for discharge license requirements and are incorporated into an advanced geographic information and decision support system in order to improve site selection and aquaculture planning.