Farmer's Perspective: The Social Impact of Shrimp Farming

  

This picture illustrates one of the harmful effects of shrimp aquaculture: dried farmland

Farmers:

Bangladesh is considered a third world country with its high poverty level. Bringing in large shrimp farms into this area makes it even more challenging for the natives, especially the farmers - us - ­­­to maintain their daily lifestyle, as there is an increase in competition for necessities. Shrimp aquaculture takes our away land, water and even food!

Land problems:

Since the arrival of the shrimp farms around our homes, we have lost many family members. We used to have great fertile land for our crops, but now it has become a dry desert as saltwater from the shrimp farms flood our area. When this happens, freshwater is either cut off or mixed with salt water, and our lands are not able to receive the nutrients it needs to allow our crops to grow. It is highly concerning as the shrimp farms are taking lands that belong to mother nature – the mangrove swamps – and even evicting people out of their houses to use their land. It is hurting our crops, and even burial grounds! (Earth Focus 2012) We believe that shrimp farming needs to stop. It is hurting our crops.

Water problems:

We want the prawn industry to get lost! It is very difficult to get water now, because all the fresh water is gone. Only salt water is present.  The prawn farmers have created new waterways to allow saltwater to fill embankments, which not only prohibits freshwater from flowing into our homes, but also contaminates the fresh water we have.  The shrimp farmers use toxic chemicals, which are even banned in some countries, to enhance the prawns. Pollution! How are we going to eat fishes or expect marine animals to live? And how are we going to earn money without marine animals to catch? It has come to a point where it is nearly impossible for the cattle to drink water, as water bodies are all filled with saltwater.

Food problems:

We live hand to mouth, and often go hungry. People are becoming poorer and poorer as we cannot raise our cattle and grow crops. There is nothing for the animals, and even for us to eat! Everything is like a desert. Our children are suffering from malnourishment because we cannot provide enough food and health care. The local administration is also of no help, because they are part of the prawn industry. When we try to rebel against the local party, they punish us too show that we should not mess with them, and complain about the prawn fishing.” (Earth Focus 2012)  

  

We hope you stop buying prawns coming out from India – that is our only hope to end this crisis we are facing. 

Sources:

Picture - "Shrimp Farming." Vietnam Aquaculture. (Date accessed: February 22, 2013) umvietnamstudy.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/mrbich_intensiveshrimp.jpg

Earth Focus. (April4, 2012) "Free media to win fight against corruption." News Day. (Date accessed: February 19, 2013). http://www.newsday.co.zw/2013/01/17/free-media-to-win-fight-against-corruption/