Climate Resilience and Eco-Friendly Practices for Shrimp Aquaculture

By Vinij Tansakul

The effects of climate change pose difficulties for the shrimp aquaculture sector worldwide. The yields of shrimp production and the sustainability of shrimp farming globally are under threat from rising sea levels, increasing salinity, ocean acidification, extreme weather events, including anomalous rainfall patterns, and the emergence of new shrimp diseases. At the same time, consumers, environmental organizations, and government agencies put more and more pressure on shrimp producers to use sustainable and eco-friendly practices.

In order to meet these challenges, the shrimp aquaculture sector must prioritize resilience to climate change and embrace sustainability in operations that promote environmentally friendly methods. These are not two independent endeavors; rather, they are intricately interwoven, with each bolstering and enhancing the other. The shrimp industry can contribute towards international efforts to develop a comprehensive strategy for mitigating and adapting to climate change while minimizing environmental impacts. Such a strategy will ensure its long-term sustainability and a resilient future. In addition, it will secure the industry’s long-term survival by adopting strategies to reduce its environmental impact and by adapting to climate change.

The ability of individuals or ecosystems to bounce back from hazardous climate events is referred to as climate resilience. In this article, we suggest climate change adaptations that safeguard the environmental, social, and economic facets of the shrimp aquaculture industry.

Strategies for Climate Resilience With Environmental Benefits

In addition to improving climate resilience in shrimp farming, a number of the following measures also help to maintain environmental sustainability and lessen the ecological effects of the shrimp aquaculture sector.

Conservation and Effective Use of Water: Recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), which filter and repurpose water, are one example of a water conservation measure that lowers wastewater discharge into the environment and natural water sources. This lessens the spread of disease and aids in the management of the microbiome in the farming system. Utilizing salt-tolerant shrimp strains and collecting rainwater for use in production cycles are two more ways to preserve water resources and strengthen tolerance to the increased salinity caused by saltwater intrusion and drought. Furthermore, innovations such as biofloc systems encourage microbial communities that recycle surplus nutrients into protein-rich flocs, which act as shrimps’ additional food source. This lessens the negative effects of shrimp farming on the environment, particularly concerning disease prevention, and enhances water quality and efficiency. Additionally, it lessens and eases the effluent discharged by the shrimp industry, and alleviates stress on freshwater resources.

Choice of Shrimp Strains: It is essential to develop shrimp strains that are resistant to environmental changes. Shrimp aquaculture can become more resilient with strains that withstand changes in salinity, rising water temperatures, and other stressors brought on by climate change. Genetic engineering methods, combined with selective breeding programs, can produce strains that are more stress-tolerant, more resistant to disease, and better suited to shifting environmental conditions. These days, several international businesses have created resilient shrimp strains or robust shrimp that can withstand variations in the salinity and temperature of the water. These strains allow shrimp to flourish and yield well in a variety of environmental circumstances, displacing strains that grow quickly, but are more susceptible to salinity and temperature stresses. Thus, shrimp farmers can reduce risk and boost resistance to particular hazards by cultivating a broad range of shrimp strains, including both native and non-native varieties appropriate to their own region’s shrimp farming conditions.

Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA): In IMTA, many species with different nutritional needs, such as shrimp, fish, and seaweed are co-cultured in the same culture system. This encourages the cycling of nutrients, with shrimp waste serving as a resource for other living things. By establishing a balanced system and enhancing the general health of the ecosystem, this strategy helps lessen the negative effects that waste and surplus nutrients from shrimp farming have on the environment. In Vietnam, it’s usual practice to co-cultivate shrimp alongside filter-feeding fish (like tilapia) and seaweed (for carbon offset). IMTA supports environmental sustainability and climate resilience by imitating natural ecosystems.

Climate-Smart Water Quality Monitoring: Real-time data on water parameters throughout the shrimp production cycle is provided through the use of smart water quality monitoring equipment (IoT devices). Since shrimp are sensitive to variations in water quality and require control over characteristics like temperature, salinity, pH, and oxygen levels, all of which can shift rapidly owing to climate variability, water quality management is essential to the marine shrimp farming industry. Shrimp farming can be made more effective by implementing aeration and oxygenation systems to consistently maintain ideal water quality, and thus increase production and survival rates. These practices will also lessen the possibility of eutrophication, algae blooms, and other environmental problems brought on by poor water quality.

Restoring and Conserving: Mangrove ecosystems are essential for maintaining biodiversity, sequestering carbon, and protecting coastlines. Shrimp farming contributes to the preservation of these important ecosystems and increases resilience to coastal disasters by placing a high priority on mangrove conservation and restoration. Restoring mangroves and wetlands close to shrimp farms offers an ecological service. These wetlands filter nutrients from wastewater, making this an affordable and environmentally beneficial undertaking. Keeping these organic buffer zones intact facilitates the absorption of trash and surplus nutrients from shrimp ponds. Mangroves also protect against storms, stop coastal erosion, protect coastal communities, support biodiversity, and help carbon capture and storage (blue carbon).

Eco-Friendly Activities and Their Part in Addressing Climate Change

Implementing environmentally friendly methods in shrimp farming directly improves the industry’s ability to withstand climate change.

Responsible Source Feed and Inputs: The industry’s carbon dioxide emissions and dependency on finite resources can be decreased by responsibly procuring shrimp feed and other production inputs, such as employing fishmeal and fish oil from certified and sustainable sources or looking into alternative protein sources. Consequently, this strengthens resistance to the effects of climate change on resource availability and feed supply networks.

Prevent Pollution and Manage Waste: Shrimp farming can have a negative environmental impact, but it can also contribute to maintaining healthy aquatic ecosystems by using appropriate waste management and pollution control techniques. Sea level rise and other consequences of climate change, like ocean acidification and marine heat waves, make it more difficult for these healthy ecosystems to cope with and recover from the effects of climate change.

Preserve Biodiversity: Shrimp farming enterprises can improve ecosystem resilience by establishing buffer zones which preserve and maintain local biodiversity, by implementing coastal-friendly farming techniques and participating in habitat restoration projects. High biodiversity and healthy ecosystems are better equipped to withstand the effects of climate change and provide a stronger foundation for sustainable aquaculture.

Adopt Traceability and Certification Labelling Practices: In the shrimp aquaculture sector, taking part in third-party certification programs like the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) and Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) can support environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and traceability. Consumers are calling for more openness and guarantees that the shrimp they eat is farmed in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. Such customer demands for ethical and transparent shrimp farming can press for the adoption of climate-resilient practices along the entire supply chain, encouraging the shrimp sector to prioritize environmental sustainability and climate resilience.

Government Policies and Their Part in Addressing Climate Change

To promote climate resilience, the following government measures are essential.

Incentives: Provide financial incentives such as low-interest loans, tax deductions, and support for certification programs that prioritize food safety, product sales, and marketing promotion. All of these can be used to encourage farmers to adopt sustainable shrimp farming practices.

Collaborative Research and Innovation Services: Fund studies to create robust and climate-adaptive technologies and train farmers on climate-resilient practices. Encourage the use of contemporary technology in shrimp farms, such as systems that control water and temperature, that signal alerts for disease outbreaks, and that enhance farming techniques. Working together, stakeholders can create and spread novel solutions that address environmental sustainability and climate resilience in shrimp farming. Through a collaborative effort in the supply chain, the adoption of resilient and sustainable practices can be expedited.

Climate-Resilient Infrastructure: Encourage infrastructure development, including the construction of fortified dams, saltwater irrigation systems, water management systems, effective drainage systems, flood protection systems, and emergency power systems. Shrimp production and farm infrastructure are impacted by the heightened occurrence and intensity of natural disasters such as floods, storms, droughts, sea level rise, and coastal erosion. Shrimp farms and communities will be shielded from extreme climatic events by putting insurance policies and disaster preparedness plans into place, which will reduce risks and potential losses from natural disasters.

Climate Change’s Economic Effects on Shrimp Farming

The shrimp farming industry is susceptible to multiple major impacts from climate change. Some crucial points are discussed below.

Disruptions to Production: Shrimp ponds can be destroyed by climate-related events such as storms, floods, and harsh weather, all of which can cause farmers to suffer significant financial losses. In addition to causing harm to the current infrastructure, these disruptions complicate planning for the future.

Enhanced Risk of Diseases in Shrimp: Increasing temperatures and shifting oceanic conditions could make disease outbreaks in aquaculture more intense. Diseases can result in lower yields, product degradation, shrimp mortality, and higher management and treatment costs.

Changes in the Distribution of Marine Shrimp: The distribution of shrimp populations in the sea may vary in response to variations in ocean temperatures. This could affect the availability of commercially significant shrimp species, as well as the growth and the dynamics of the shrimp market.

Supply Chain Vulnerabilities: Inclement weather can cause supply chain disruptions that affect shrimp product export, processing, and transportation. Economic instability and price volatility may result from these vulnerabilities.

Adaptation Costs: Research, technology, and infrastructure investments are necessary to put best practices to work in addressing climate challenges. These adjustments inevitably result in higher related costs, even if they are vital for long-term sustainability.

Changing Market Demands: As a result of changing consumer preferences, there is an increasing need for shrimp produced using sustainable farming and production methods. Using climate-resilient techniques can improve competitiveness and market accessibility.

Conclusion

Climate change is posing unprecedented challenges to the shrimp aquaculture industry. By implementing climate resilience techniques, including immediate adaptation steps to address the impacts of climate change, shrimp producers may assure the industry’s long-term sustainability, safeguard the ecosystems, and support a resilience food production system. Shrimp farms will be able to adapt and run more sustainably with the help of transitioning shrimp strains and effective water resource management.

Furthermore, to lessen adverse economic effects, government policies that are supportive of science and research are essential. Insurance, planning for disasters, and community involvement are further strategies that can lower risks and give the shrimp sector long-term security. With coordinated efforts, we can assure the long-term viability of the shrimp farming industry and work toward a future where the industry prospers despite a changing climate.

The shrimp aquaculture sector must take a comprehensive approach, acknowledging the interconnectedness of environmental sustainability and climatic resilience, as the challenges posed by climate change get more pressing. The sector can support international efforts to create a more resilient and sustainable future, while also preserving long-term security, by exploring strategies that address both goals at the same time.