Progress of the mangrove-friendly shrimp culture project as of August 2004.

Abstract

The Aquaculture Department (AQD) of the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) implemented in 1998 a five-year Mangrove-Friendly Aquaculture Program covering the culture of various organisms (fishes, crustaceans and mollusks) that could have effects on the mangroves. Upon the recommendation of the 22nd SEAFDEC Program Committee in 1999, the Program was revised to focus on the effects of shrimp culture on mangroves and was placed under the FCG collaborative mechanism.

Thus, starting in early 2000 the Program on the Promotion of Mangrove-Friendly Shrimp Aquaculture in Southeast Asia: Mangrove-Friendly Shrimp Culture Project was implemented giving due focus on shrimp and adopting the major approaches, namely verification and pilot demonstration, research, training, and information dissemination.

The improved practices in shrimp culture in Thailand and in the Philippines served as basis for the technology verification and demonstration activities. These experiences were documented in the form of state-of-the-art manuals.