Evaluation of seawater irrigation for intensive marine shrimp farming.

Abstract

The seawater irrigation system has benefited the intensive marine shrimp culture making shrimp culture sustainable and increasing shrimp production. The results obtained from this research study indicated that the adverse effects of shrimp farms on mangrove and costal environments around the irrigation system could be controlled and minimized. There are three main critical control points identified in this study that need to be considered: 1) Supply canals in the system should be cleaned and renovated every 2-3 years. 2) Wastewater treatment system should be monitored to avoid the accumulation of solid wastes while the solid wastes should be properly managed. 3) The seawater irrigation system can minimize shrimp pathogens from entering the culture ponds, however for disease prevention, farmers should adopt good aquaculture practices including pond preparation, seed quality, and prevention of disease carriers.

Managing the seawater irrigation system needs a systematic teamwork. The above critical control points of the system should be monitored regularly and managed properly. The pond manager should assess the system regularly to prevent the adverse effects to the shrimp farms and to the environment.