HOPE FOR THE GIANT TIGER SHRIMP INDUSTRY Principles and concepts of mangrove-friendly shrimp culture By Wilfredo G. Yap Head, Technology Verification and Commercialization Division SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department, Iloilo, Philippines Email: [email protected] For a long time aquaculture development in general and shrimp where the mangrove trees should not be cut these laws are often culture in particular paid only scant attention to the environment. ignored. Little do the developers realize that mangroves are im- As a result, mangroves and other ecologically sensitive areas were portant to aquaculture for the following reasons. destroyed in the process. Belatedly people realize that being • friendly to the environment in general and to mangroves in par- Protect perimeter dikes of fishponds and shrimp farms from ticular is actually important to the industry because of the follow- strong wind and wave action; • ing reasons. Act as natural biological filter by absorbing excess nutrients from pond discharges; • The growth and survival of shrimps depend on a clean and • Condition water for shrimp farms and fishponds; healthy environment; • Act as nursery grounds for various species. • The international market is getting more and more sensitive to wholesomeness; The role of mangroves as natural biological filters becomes even • There is a tremendous pressure on developed countries to ban more important with intensification. Traditionally aquaculture is the import of shrimps from countries practicing environmen- always regarded as recipient or victim of industrial pollution. Un- tally damaging methods of shrimp farming; treated effluents from various industries always cause problems • It is the only way to ensure sustainability of the industry. for nearby shrimp farms. Traditional aquaculture at extensive lev- els generates very little waste all of which can be consumed by Shrimp farming in particular is coming under attack by well-mean- other organisms or will eventually decompose to more basic nu- ing environmental groups due to the following reasons. trients. With intensification, the amount of waste generated ex- ceeds what can be consumed and decomposed naturally and • A large percentage of the mangrove forests in the world is aquaculture becomes a source of pollution as well, shrimp cul- alleged to have been cleared to make way to shrimp farming. ture in particular produces both solid and soluble wastes. Solid • Irresponsible practices by shrimp farmers such as improper wastes from shrimp culture include the following: use of chemicals and discharge during harvest have led to • conflict with coastal communities. Uneaten feeds; • • Shrimp farming has not helped the poor in the coastal Feces; • communities and may even have made them poorer because Bodies of dead shrimps (or fish); • the destruction of mangroves deprives them of a source of Shell cast off during molting. livelihood and reduces the aquatic resources that would have The soluble wastes on the other hand can consist of: been available to the poor. • Excess fertilizers, chlorine, BKC and other chemicals used The efforts of various international NGOs to require importing during preparation; countries to buy shrimps only from countries deemed to be man- • Antibiotic residues during culture; grove or environmentally friendly cannot be ignored. One NGO • Metabolic wastes from culture animals; in the United States has succeeded in requiring “turtle-friendly” • Phosphates leached out from feeds. certification for all shrimps coming from Asia even if these are With intensification the following events happen: raised in farms and not captured by trawlers. It is for this reason that the ASEAN countries have decided to take an active move to • Nearshore water becomes enriched adding to the organic load show that they are just as concerned about the mangroves and the and therefore bacteria; environment. • Solid wastes accumulate on bottom, become growing area of disease organisms; natural process of decomposition Importance of mangrove forest to aquaculture becomes overloaded and cannot cope up; It used to be that mangroves are simply clear-cut to make way for • Water supply system becomes contaminated and adjacent fish or shrimp farms. Even if there are laws requiring buffer zones farms start to pollute each other. ☞ next page SEAFDEC Asian Aquaculture 24 (3) July-September 2002 3 HOPE FOR THE GIANT TIGER SHRIMP INDUSTRY In many of the shrimp pro- Figure 1 essential towards attaining ducing countries in Asia, in- Events leading to diseases in shrimp farms and food security. tensification set off a series eventual collapse of the industry The various actions re- of events which eventually quired to attain each of the lead to the collapse of the five objectives are as follows: High industry in many countries as price Use of Development of shown in Figure 1. ➱ a)Maintaining and antibiotics ➱ resistance ➱ Enhancing Production Sustainability • Select sites which are ➱ The single most compelling Good suitable for the organism market More virulent reason to farm shrimps with- Diseases being cultured, in this ➱ diseases out harming the environment ➱ case shrimps, has good ➱ is to ensure sustainability. soil characteristics and Just what does sustainable Intensification Auto-pollution good supply of unpol- ➱ Mass aquaculture mean? To the luted water; ➱ mortality fish farmer sustainable ➱ • Employ proper design so aquaculture would simply Overcrowding Waste that water in the shrimp ➱ build-up mean survival. Sustainable farm can be maintained at development in general has INDUSTRY the recommended depth, COLLAPSE been broadly defined as de- water can come in and velopment which meets the out as required without needs of the present without delay, inputs can be compromising the future (WCED, 1987). A more comprehensive brought to all parts of the farm without much trouble, the definition of sustainable development comes from the Food and stock can be easily harvested, the whole facilities is safe for Agriculture Organization of the United Nations which goes as fol- workers especially when it comes to electrical connections. lows: “Sustainable development is the management and conser- • Make sure to select sites where it does not take too long to vation of the natural resource base, and the orientation of techno- bring in fry from the hatchery. logical and institutional change in such a manner as to ensure the • Use good quality feeds and appropriate inputs. attainment and continued satisfaction of human needs for present and future generations. Such sustainable development (in agri- b)Reducing Production Risk Level culture, forestry and fisheries sectors) conserves land, water, plant • Avoid areas that are subject to constant flooding and/or strong and animal resources, is environmentally non-degrading, techni- wind and wave action. cally appropriate, economically viable and socially available.” • Employ sound engineering to maintain the integrity of the In the welter of definitions one of the more comprehensive dikes, water conveyance and other structures. definition of sustainability comes from land management which • Use healthy and uninfected seedstock. appears to be just as appropriate for both aquaculture and agricul- • Apply proper technical skills ture. Sustainable land management according to Dumanski (1993 • Use appropriate prophylactic measures as cited by Greenland, 1997) is a condition where technologies, • Dispose of all wastes properly. policies and activities are used together to integrate economic prin- c)Protecting Natural Resource Potentials ciples with environmental concerns so as to: • Avoid ecologically sensitive areas such as mangroves. a) Maintain or enhance production; • Avoid use of harmful chemicals, antibiotics and other inputs b) Reduce the level of production risk; which might affect the environment. c) Protect the potential of natural resources and prevent • Treat water discharged from the shrimp farms. degradation of water quality; d)Economic Viability d) Be economically viable; • Find areas with favorable investment climate. e) Be socially acceptable. • Find financing institutions that give favorable financing. This definition embodies the various environmental, economic and • Make sure inputs will be easily available when required. socio-political issues which forms the matrix of sustainability. By • Employ efficient production methods. going through the objectives of sustainability it becomes clear that • Pay particular attention to product appearance and whole- someness. aiming for sustainability not only has a practical value but also is ☞ page 6 4 SEAFDEC Asian Aquaculture 24 (3) July-September 2002 HOPE FOR THE GIANT TIGER SHRIMP INDUSTRY and commercial viability under different For more information, climatic conditions at stocking densities please call or write: 2 ranging from 25-60 shrimp fry per m with Technology Verification and production ranging from 6-15 tons per ha. Commercialization Division [Very recently, AQD has demonstrated this SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department technology overseas in coordination with Tigbauan, Iloilo the Department of Fisheries in Myanmar [email protected] with a consistent production of about 10 [email protected] tons per ha.] Phase II engaged the participation of (033) 511 9029 private tiger shrimp operators nationwide 336 2937 by using their farms, which is the ultimate 336 2965 goal to revive the shrimp industry. The JMANTTP also includes the conduct of nationwide skills development sessions that