Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Issues, impacts, and implications of shrimp aquaculture in Thailand

  • Profile
  • Published:
Environmental Management Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Water quality impacts to and from intensive shrimp aquaculture in Thailand are substantial. Besides the surface and subsurface salinization of freshwaters, loadings of solids, oxygen-consuming organic matter, and nutrients to receiving waters are considerable when the cumulative impacts from water exchange during the growout cycle, pond drainage during harvesting, and illegal pond sediment disposal are taken into account. Although just beginning to be considered in Thailand, partial recirculating and integrated intensive farming systems are producing promising, if somewhat limited, results. By providing on-site treatment of the effluent from the shrimp growout ponds, there is less reliance on using outside water supplies, believed to be the source of the contamination.

The explosion in the number of intensively operated shrimp farms has not only impacted the coastal zone of Thailand, but has also resulted in an unsustainable aquaculture industry. Abandonment of shrimp ponds due to either drastic, disease-caused collapses or more grandual, year-to-year reductions in the productivity of the pond is common. To move Thailand towards a more sustainable aquaculture industry and coastal zone environment, integrated aquaculture management is needed. Components of integrated aquaculture management are technical and institutional. The technical components involve deployment of wastewater treatment and minimal water-use systems aimed at making aquaculture operations more hydraulically closed. Before this is possible, technical and economic feasibility studies on enhanced nitrification systems and organic solids removal by oxidation between production cycles and/or the utilization of plastic pond liners need to be conducted. The integration of semi-intensive aquaculture within mangrove areas also should be investigated since mangrove losses attributable to shrimp aquaculture are estimated to be between 16 and 32% of the total mangrove area destroyed betweeen 1979 and 1993.

Government policy needs to devote as much attention to sustainability issues as it has on promoting intensive pond culture. Such a balanced policy would include training and education monitoring and enforcement, rehabilitating abandoned ponds, managing land use within the coastal zone, more community involvement, and government reorganization to eliminate overlapping jurisdictions among agencies.

As integrated aquaculture management becomes more the practice than the exception, less risk of crop failure to the industry and reduced discharge loadings from intensively managed shrimp ponds to receiving waters can be expected. Projected limitations on growing and marketing shrimp in the future, such as scarcity of land and broodstock, continued disease outbreaks, negative publicity, regulatory enforcement, water treatment and solids disposal costs, and increased competition from growers in other Asian countries will also drive the government and the industry towards adopting integrated aquaculture management.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Literature Cited

  • Aksornkoae, S. 1993. Ecology and management of mangroves. IUCN, Bangkok, Thailand.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barg, U. C. 1992. Guidelines for the promotion of environmental management of coastal aquaculture development. FAO Fisheries Technical Paper 328. Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, Rome, 122 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boesch, D. F., and R. E. Turner. 1984. Dependence of fishery species on salt marshes: The role of food and refuge.Estuaries 7:460–468.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boyd, C. E., P. Munsiri, and B. F. Hajek. 1994. Composition of sediment from intensive shrimp ponds in Thailand.World Aquaculture 25:53–55.

    Google Scholar 

  • Briggs, M. R. P., and S. J. Funge-Smith. 1994. A nutrient budget of some intensive marine shrimp ponds in Thailand. Development of strategies for sustainable shrimp farming. Final report to the Overseas Development Administration, Research Project R4751. Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chaiyakam, K., P. Songsangjinda, and D. Tunvilai. 1992. Water quality and production of two management systems of tiger shrimp culture in Songkhla Province. Technical paper 11/92. National Institute of Coastal Aquaculture, Department of Fisheries, Kao Saen Soi 1, Muang District, Songkhla, Thailand 90000 (in Thai with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Chancharaswat, K. 1991. The role of environmental protection and coastal resources management in national development planning in Thailand. Pages 49–57In T. -E. Chua and L. F. Scura (eds.), Managing ASEAN's coastal resources for sustainable development: Roles of policymakers, scientists, donors, media and communities, ICLARM conference proceedings, vol. 30.

  • Chen, S., and R. F. Malone. 1991. Suspended solids control in recirculating aquacultural systems. Pages 170–186in Engineering aspects of intensive aquaculture. Northeast Regional Agricultural Engineering Service, Ithaca, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chin, K. K., and S. L. Ong. 1994. Treatment and reuse of water for prawn cultivation.Water Science and Technology 30:255–258.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • CORIN (Coastal Resources Institute). 1992. Unpublished data. Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90112, Thailand.

  • CORIN (Coastal Resources Institute). 1995. The study of the effect of aquaculture on agricultural land and coastal environment. Department of Technical and Economic Cooperation (DTEC), Bangkok, Thailand. 154 pp. (in Thai with English summary).

    Google Scholar 

  • Csavas, I. 1994a. Coastal aquaculture in Thailand. FAO aquaculture newsletter (FAN) No. 7, August 1994. Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, Rome 00100.

    Google Scholar 

  • Csavas, I. 1994b. The status and outlook of world aquaculture with special reference to Asia. Aquaculture towards the 21st century, proceedings of Infofish-Aquatech '94, International Conference on Aquaculture, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 29–31 August 1994.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dixon, J. A. 1989. Valuation of mangroves.Tropical Coastal Area Management 4(3):1–6.

    Google Scholar 

  • FAO. 1985. Mangrove management in Thailand, Malayasia, and Indonesia. FAO Environmental Paper 4, 60 pp.

  • FAO. 1992. Aquaculture production 1984–1990. FAO Fisheries Circular, 815 Rev. 4, Rome, 206 pp.

  • FAO/NACA 1995. Regional study and workshop on the environmental assessment and management of aquaculture development (TCP/RAS/2253), NACA Environment and Aquaculture Series No. 1. Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific, Bangkok, Thailand, 477 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Funge-Smith, S. J., and M. R. P. Briggs. 1994a. Water quality and nutrient discharge of intensive marine shrimp ponds in Thailand and their relationships to pond productivity. Development of strategies for sustainable shrimp farming. Final report to the Overseas Development Administration, Research Project R4751. Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK.

    Google Scholar 

  • Funge-Smith, S. J., and M. R. P. Briggs. 1994b. The origins and fate of solids and suspended solids in intensive marine shrimp ponds in Thailand. Development of strategies for sustainable shrimp farming. Final report to the Overseas Development Administration, Research Project R4751. Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK.

    Google Scholar 

  • Funge-Smith, S. J., and M. R. P. Briggs. 1994c. The organic composition of soil and accumulated sediments in intensive marine shrimp ponds in Thailand. Development of strategies for sustainable shrimp farming. Final report R4751. Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK.

    Google Scholar 

  • GESAMP (IMO/FAO/UNESCO/WMO/IAEA/UN/UNEP Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Pollution). 1991. Reducing environmental impacts of coastal aquaculture. Report and studies No. 47, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 35 pp.

  • Hopkins, J. S., P. A. Sandifer, and C. L. Browdy. 1994. Sludge management in intensive pond culture of shrimp: Effect of management regime on water quality sludge characteristics, nitrogen extinction, and shrimp production.Aquacultural Engineering 13:11–30.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kikuchi, A. 1993. The development and associated problems of intensive shrimp culture in Thailand. Research paper No. 33. Training Department, Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center, P.O. Box 4, Phrapradaeng, Samut Prakarn, Thailand, 14 pp.

  • KKBRDSC (Kung Krabaen Bay Royal Development Study Centre). 1992. Pictorial and cartographic presentation of Kung Krabaen Bay Royal Development Study Centre. Chanthaburi Province, Thailand, 18 pp.

  • Lin, C. E. 1989. Prawn culture in Taiwan. What went wrong?World Aquaculture 20(2):19–20.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lin, C. E., P. Ruamthaveesub, and P. Wanuchsoontorn. 1993. Integrated culture of the green mussel (Perna viridis) in wastewater from an intensive shrimp pond: concept and practice.World Aquaculture 24:68–73.

    Google Scholar 

  • Macintosh, D. J., and M. J. Phillips. 1992. Environmental considerations in shrimp farming.Infofish International 6(92):38–92.

    Google Scholar 

  • Malone, R. F., and D. G. Drennan, II. 1992. Bead filters.Alternative Aquaculture Network Newsletter 11(2):2–4.

    Google Scholar 

  • MIDAS Agronomics. 1995. Pre-investment study for a coastal resources managment program in Thailand. Interim report submitted to the World Bank, Washington, DC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nedwell, D. B. 1975. Inorganic nitrogen metabolism in a eutrophicated tropical mangrove estuary.Water Research 9:221–231.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • NRCT (National Research Council of Thailand). 1977. Report of Thailand National Task Force: Mangrove laws and regulations. NCRT, Bangkok, Thailand. 4 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pedini, M. 1981. Penaeid shrimp culture in tropical developing countries. FAO Fisheries Circular No. 732. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome, 14 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Phillips, M. J. 1994. Shrimp culture and the environment. Unpublished paper prepared for Aquaculture Development in Southeast Asia '94 (ADSEA '94), 26–28 July, 1994, Iloilo City, Philippines. Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand.

    Google Scholar 

  • Phillips, M. J., C. Kwei-Lin, and M. C. M. Beveridge. 1993. Shrimp culture and the environment—lessons from the world's most rapidly expanding warmwater aquaculture sector. Pages 171–197in R. S. V. Pullin, H. Rosenthal, and J. L. Maclean (eds.), Environment and aquaculture in developing countries. ICLARM conference proceedings, vol 32.

  • Poernomo, A., and V. P. Singh. 1982. Problems, field identification and practical solutions of acid sulfate soils for brackishwater fishponds. Pages 49–61in Report of consultation/seminar on coastal fishpond engineering, Surabaya, Indonesia. 4–12 August 1982. South China Sea Fisheries Development and Coordinating Programme, Manila, Philippines.

    Google Scholar 

  • Primavera, J. H. 1993. A critical review of shrimp pond culture in the Philippines. Reviews of Fisheries Science 1(2):151–201.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pruder, G. D., E. O. Duerr, and W. A. Walsh. 1992. The technical feasibility of pond liners for rearing Pacific white shrimp (Penaeus vannanei) in terms of survival, growth, water exchange rate and effluent water quality.Aquaculture Engineering 11:183–201.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rakocy, J. E., and J. A. Hargreaves. 1993. Integration of vegetable hyroponics with fish culture: A review. Pages 112–136in J.-K. Wang (ed.), Techniques for modern aquaculture, proceedings of an aquacultural engineering conference, 21–23 June, 1993, Spokane, Washington. American Society of Agricultural Engineers, St. Joseph, Michigan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rakocy, J. E., J. A. Hargreaves, and D. S. Bailey. 1991. Comparative water quality dynamics in a recirculating system with solids removal and fixed-film or algal biofiltration.Journal of the Water Aquaculture Society 22(3):49A.

    Google Scholar 

  • Robertson, A. I., and S. J. M. Blaber. 1992. Plankton, epibenthos and fish communities. Pages 173–224in A. I. Robertson and D. M. Alongi (eds.), Tropical mangrove ecosystems. 41. Coastal and estuarine studies. American Geophysical Union, Washington, DC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosenberry, R. (ed.). 1994. World shrimp farming 1994. Shrimp News International (Publishers), San Diego, California, 68 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sandifer, P. A., and J. S. Hopkins. 1996. Conceptual design of a sustainable pond-based shrimp culture system.Aquaculture Engineering 15:41–52.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Simpson, H. J., H. W. Ducklow, B. Deck, and H. L. Cook. 1983. Brackishwater aquaculture in pyrite-bearing tropical soils.Aquaculture 34:333–350.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Songsangjinda, P., and D. Tunvilai. 1993. Pollution loading from an intensive tiger shrimp farm. Technical paper No. 15/1993. National Institute of Coastal Aquaculture, Department of Fisheries, Kao Saen Soi 1, Muang District, Songkhla, Thailand 90000 (in Thai with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Stoner, A. W., and R. J. Zimmerman. 1988. Food pathways associated with penaeid shrimps in a mangrove-fringed estuary.Fishery Bulletin 86:543–551.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tacon, A. G. J., M. J. Phillips, and U. C. Barg. 1995. Aquaculture feeds and the environment: The Asian experience.Water Science and Technology 31:41–59.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tetzlaff, B. 1991. Suspended solids filtration in water recirculating systems. Pages 29–38in L. Swann (ed.), Regional workshop on commercial fish culture using water recirculating systems. Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant Program, Illinois State University, Norman, Illinois.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tiensongrusmee, B., and M. J. Phillips. 1994. the environmental management of coastal aquaculture: A study of shrimp culture in southern Thailand. Training course in semi-intensive shrimp culture operation and management, 4–24 July, 1994. The network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific (NACA), Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand.

    Google Scholar 

  • Timmons, M. B., and T. M. Losordo (eds.) 1994. Aquaculture water reuse systems: Engineering design and management, vol. 27. Developments in aquaculture and fisheries science. Elsevier, New York, 333 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tunvilai, D., P. Songsangjinda, and K. Chaiyakam. 1993a. Pollution loading of effluent from intensive tiger shrimp culture ponds. Technical paper 4/1993. National Institute of Coastal Aquaculture, Department of Fisheries, Kao Saen Soi 1, Muang District, Songkhla, Thailand 90000 (in Thai with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Tunvilai, D., P. Songsanginda, and K. Chaiyakaj. 1993b. Variation of sediment quality and quantity in intensive tiger shrimp culture ponds. Technical paper no. 5/1993. National Institute of Coastal Aquaculture, Muang District, Songkhla 90000 Thailand.

    Google Scholar 

  • Twilley, R. R. 1998. Coupling of mangroves to the productivity of estuarine and coastal waters. Pages 155–180in B.-O. Jansson (ed.), Coastal—offshore ecosystem interactions. Lecture notes on coastal and estuarine studies, vol. 22. Springer-Verlag, Berlin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vibulsresth, S., and S. Murai. 1991. Crisis of mangrove resources: Drastic conversion to shrimp farms in Chanthaburi, Thailand. Pages 279–281in S. Murai (ed.), Applications of remote sensing in Asia and Oceania—environmental change monitoring. Asian Association on Remote Sensing. Murai Laboratory, Institue of Industrial Science, University of Tokyo, Roppongi Minatoku, Tokyo.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wanuchsoontorn, P., P. Ruamthveesub, S. Kruitong, C. Nuanchon, C. K. Lin, S. Thammasart, and C. Lohawatanakul. 1993. The use of water recycle system inPeneaus monodon culture (in Thai). In Sustainable Mangrove Resource Management. The eighth national seminar on mangrove ecology, 25–28 August, 1993, Surat Thani. National Research Council of Thailand, Bangkok.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wigglesworth, J. 1994. “Taura syndrome” hits Ecuador farms.Fish Farmer May/June:30–31.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. DB Environmental Laboratories, Inc., 414 Richard Rd., Suite 1, 32955, Rockledge, Florida, USA

    Forrest E. Dierberg

  2. ASPAC Consultants, 123 Sukhumvit 57, 10110, Phakanong, Khlongtoe Bangkok, Thailand

    Woraphan Kiattisimkul

Authors
  1. Forrest E. Dierberg
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Woraphan Kiattisimkul
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

The data for this paper was obtained while the senior author was a Visiting Fulbright Researcher at the Coastal Resources Institute (CORIN), Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90112, Thailand.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Dierberg, F.E., Kiattisimkul, W. Issues, impacts, and implications of shrimp aquaculture in Thailand. Environmental Management 20, 649–666 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01204137

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01204137

Key words

Search

Navigation