Shrimp Aquaculture: Attacking The Environment

(WWF 2011)

In modern society, we love to satisfy our cravings by eating what we want. Food is now a main form of entertainment, especially for Americans. Americans love seafood, especially shrimp. Whether stir-fried, barbecued, or curried, our passion for this tender crustacean is undeniable.  In fact, farmed shrimp accounts for one-third of global consumption (BBC 2004). This is not a model of development that we should be proud of. 

Shrimp farming is a booming industry; in only the United States, we consume more than a billion pounds of shrimp a year (NRDC 2011).  However, when done incorrectly, it is a destructive one. Shrimp farms are not naturally made. The pollution from antibiotics, fertilizers, disinfectants, and pesticides; the clearing of vegetation for new farms; the introduction of salt water to soil; the unsustainable levels of bycatch; and the introduction of new diseases that accompany shrimp farming negatively impact the environment enormously.

Shrimp farming exploits Earth’s limited resources, causing much conflict and serious social problems. The industry demands international attention immediately. We need to fix all the problems associated with shrimp farming, and fast. “I say to those who eat shrimp--and only the rich people from industrialized countries eat shrimp--I say they are eating the blood, sweat, and livelihoods of the poor people of the Third World.” -- Shri Banke Behary Das, Indian environmental activist        

   

          

(WWF 2011)

IMPACTS OF SHRIMP FARMING

Shrimp farming destroys wetlands, pollutes lands and oceans, and decreases wild fish stocks. 

BYCATCH

When shrimp farming is done incorrectly, many other fish are caught and killed with the shrimp, since farmers use wide nets. These nets have tiny pores, which capture smaller fish as well. These fish tend to be baby fish, and they are thrown back into the water source and left to die. These fishes do not have the chance to grow and reproduce; with the continuation of shrimp farming, the chance of endangering species of fishes increases.

MANGROVE CLEARING

In 2004, about 38% of mangrove destruction could be linked to shrimp farming (BBC 2004). Mangroves are ecosystems consisting of tropical trees and shrubs between land and saltwater environments. Mangroves provide homes for many animals and can help block or lessen the impact of tropical storms. Many endangered species live in mangroves. People around mangroves rely on them for subsistence farming. Without mangroves, many species will become extinct and many people will not be able to survive. In the past 30 years, more than 20% of the world’s mangroves have been destroyed (NRDC 2011). Shrimp farmers clear mangroves in order to make space for aquaculture. However, mangroves are not even the best option for shrimp aquaculture--they have low elevation, acid soils, and high construction costs (The Global Aquaculture Alliance 2011). Shrimp farming does not have to, and should not, happen in mangroves. People started intensively farming in mangroves in the 1980s, and have just not stopped (The Global Aquaculture Alliance 2011). Mangrove land is also cheaper for shrimp farmers. Although certain organizations, such as the Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, have stepped up and provided rules for conduct limiting the amount of shrimp farming in mangroves, many farmers still do it (The Global Aquaculture Alliance 2011). The United States, some South American, and some Southeast Asian governments have started to regulate shrimp farming so as to protect mangrove ecosystems (The Global Aquaculture Alliance 2011). However, shrimp farming is still an unnecessarily destructive process, especially in Thailand, China, Indonesia, India, Vietnam, Ecuador, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Mexico, and Brazil (BBC 2004). 

CHEMICALS

Many harmful chemical products are used in the ponds of Asian shrimp aquaculture. These products are also used in shrimp hatcheries and in disinfecting the equipment for shrimp pond management. Unfortunately, the quality and quantity of these products are rarely documented. What is documented is the list of chemicals used and their possible effects on the environment, although only to a limited extent. It has been concluded by shrimp farmers, the chemical industry, various governments governments, and scientists trying to develop a more sustainable process that less chemical and biological products should be used. Some chemicals, such as antibiotics, pose a threat to human health. Others, like copper compounds, leave toxic residues. A lot of these chemicals are not actually proven to have positive effect on production (Gräslund S. et al. 2001).

Sources:

Both Pictures: WWF - Endangered Species Conservation 2011 | World Wildlife Fund. "Farmed Shrimp | Industries | WWF."  (Date accessed: February 22, 2013). http://worldwildlife.org/industries/farmed-shrimp

Natural Resources Defense Council. (2011) Meals of Mass Destruction: Shrimp. NRDC. Natural Resources Defense Council. (Date Accessed: February 20, 2013.) http://www.nrdc.org/living/shoppingwise/meals-mass-destruction-shrimp.asp.

BBC News. (2004) Shrimp farms ‘harm poor nations’. BBC News. The BBC. (Date Accessed: February 20, 2013.) http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/3728019.stm.

Gräslund S., & Bengtsson B.E. (December 3, 2001) Chemicals and biological products used in south-east Asian shrimp farming, and their potential impact on the environment--a review. PubMed. US National Library of MedicineNational Institutes of Health. (Date accessed: February 18, 2013.) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11763276 

The Global Aquaculture Alliance. (2011) Mangroves. The Global Aquaculture Alliance. Global Aquaculture Alliance. (Date Accessed: February 20, 2013.) http://www.gaalliance.org/newsroom/whitepapers-detail.php?Mangroves-12