Abstract
The super-intensive white shrimp system is more productive (t ha−1) than traditional systems. However, it implies greater investment in infrastructure and machinery, a continuous supply of electricity, and a specialized workforce. Therefore, the sustainability of a shrimp farm model operating in a super-intensive system in Nayarit (Mexico) was evaluated using financial analysis and life cycle assessment. The investment is important, but the fixed costs (16%) are much lower than variable costs (84%). The super-intensive farm is economically viable, with an overall profitability (29%) that is higher than that of other agri-food activities in Mexico. It is also an activity that generates a lot of employment, in relative terms, as well as economic movement in the area. The potential environmental impacts are higher than those registered in semi-intensive shrimp systems but slightly lower than those registered in intensive systems. The estimated global warming value per kg of shrimp is 5.08 kg CO2-eq, an intermediate value. Also, as the shrimp production is much higher than in traditional systems, it could have a great and positive impact on the maintenance and regeneration of the mangrove ecosystem.
Highlights
The production of aquatic organisms peaked in 2018 at approximately 179 million tonnes
To evaluate the sustainability of the white shrimp aquaculture in a super-intensive heterotrophic system, first a shrimp farm model was defined based on the information provided by a company located on the coast of the municipality of San Blas, Nayarit, Mexico
This value is lower than that described in the ongrowing of sole (Solea senegalensis), between 10.2% and 12.9% [30], and of octopus (Octopus vulgaris), 13.0% [54]
Summary
The production of aquatic organisms peaked in 2018 at approximately 179 million tonnes. Aquaculture represented 46% of the total production for human consumption, and. 52% of the products used to make fishmeal and fish oils are included. The countries that led this list in terms of production volumes were China, Indonesia, India, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Bangladesh [1]. The per capita consumption of aquaculture products has grown significantly, from 9.9 kg in the 1960s to 20.5 kg in 2018. The increase in demand has been due to population growth, the increase in economic income in households, and the trend toward healthy eating. The supply has increased because of the development of technologies for aquaculture, since the contribution of fishing has remained around
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