Can “Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA)” adapt to climate change in coastal Bangladesh?

Abstract

The coastal aquaculture sector in Bangladesh is dominated by export-oriented freshwater prawn and saltwater shrimp farming. However, the culture of prawn and shrimp in coastal Bangladesh has been accompanied by recent concerns over climate change. Different climatic variables, including cyclone, drought, flood, rainfall, salinity, sea level rise, and sea surface temperature have had adverse effects on prawn and shrimp production. Considering vulnerability to the effects of climate change on coastal aquaculture, one of the adaptation strategies is “Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA)”. Open-water IMTA in coastal Bangladesh would be a novel process of growing different finfish and shellfish with seaweeds in an integrated farm. IMTA is considered an ecosystem approach adaptation strategy to climate change which could generate environmental and economic benefits. We suggest institutional support to facilitate IMTA in coastal Bangladesh.