Review of Some Recent Developments in Sustainable Shrimp Farming Practices in Texas, Arizona, and Florida

Abstract

The world shrimp-farming industry is currently experiencing major crop losses due to disease outbreaks, which are often associated with environmental degradation. Such losses can be minimized through the adaptation of technologies that enhance biosecurity and environmental control. Current technologies suggest that a shrimp yield as high as 10 kg/m2/crop can be achieved in indoor, super-intensive, closed-recirculation systems in which environmental parameters are controlled. Nevertheless, high construction and operating costs make the financial viability of these systems questionable. Production of shrimp with reduced water exchange in outdoor ponds is another promising method to minimize monetary losses and environmental degradation. Data from commercial shrimp farms in south Texas suggest that significant reduction in water exchange and nutrient release is feasible with no impact on production when an adequate level of aeration is provided. Researchers of the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, Corpus Christi, Texas, are currently testing other potential management tools for intensification of outdoor pond productions. These trials demonstrated the feasibility of producing ayield of almost 0.9 kg/m2 of marketable size shrimp with no water exchange. Inland production of shrimp in low-salinity ground water can provide another potential solution to disease and environmental problems, as production is conducted in isolated areas away from other host species and where effluent water can be used for crop irrigation. Recent studies with this water showed that high-density nursery and grow-out of Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei are feasible, with excellent survival and yield.