2012 02 Its That Time Of Week Again 23

The fast expansion of abnormal shrimp farming in the Thai Gulf coast consists of clear-cutting of massive mangrove areas. Owing to the constant exchange of seawater as well as discharge of nutrient rich effluent, the aquaculture of shrimp has made poor quality of coastal water and saltwater intrusion into nearby agricultural locations.

Causes of Unregulated Farming

In 1980s, intensive aquaculture was introduced in the region which has poor water quality with high stocking concentration which led to outbreak of diseases. Consequently, there are series of massive abandonment of shrimp pools in unsuitable areas for agriculture or to other aquaculture activities.

Introduction of semi-closed water recycling systems as well as improvements of management techniques made renewed increase in the production of shrimps.

The changes in low-salinity farming methods and culture of the non-native white shrimp that can live and survive in low-saline waters helped in expanding the industry for shrimp inland.

There will be Compromised

Even with the growing use of the water treatment systems, pollution from the shrimp farms is an issue because of the improper disposal of sludge coming from shrimp ponds along with the introduction of non-native shrimp species that caused novel diseases among wild stocks. Since then, the industry of aquaculture made significant changes as time pass and imposed maximum allowable parameters for water quality.