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Some Ecological and Social Implications of Commercial Shrimp Farming in Asia
Barraclough, Solon Finger-Stich, Andrea
Barraclough, Solon
Finger-Stich, Andrea
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dp74.pdf
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Abstract
"During the last decade, shrimp aquaculture has become a major sector of fish farming in terms of space occupied and of market value. Nonetheless, it makes only a very small contribution towards meeting human needs for food. Shrimp exports bring substantial foreign exchange to poor countries and may contribute to regional and national short-term economic growth. Shrimp farming also generates improved incomes for some producers and labourers. The long-term negative environmental and social implications of commercial shrimp farming for livelihoods of vulnerable groups in tropical coastal regions where shrimp aquaculture is developing, however, tend to be neglected by those promoting this industry. Fish provide nearly a quarter of the worldwide consumption of animal protein. Taking into account current population trends, while assuming constant consumption per capita and the falling productivity of ocean fisheries since the late 1980s, FAO estimates that by the year 2000 there will be a deficit of 19.6 million tons of fish and other seafood (Csavas, 1994b:50). Aquaculture primarily meeting local food requirements has received little support compared to commercial aquaculture, including shrimp farming (FAO, 1995). Aquaculture development has been heavily promoted and subsidized by international and national lending agencies that often cite global food security needs as a justification (Huisman, 1990). This is fallacious for the major portion of shrimp aquaculture which caters to luxury demand. The shrimp industry has become a main beneficiary of these subsidies and institutional supports while it is putting at risk the livelihoods and food security of many coastal populations. The cultivation of shrimp requires large amounts of natural, financial and technical resources. Countries which have important parts of their population in need of food, such as India and Bangladesh, are presently becoming the main areas of expanding coastal shrimp aquaculture. Indeed, the industry is now being promoted in less developed areas with the support of the host governments and transnational companies that are often from higher income Asian countries such as Thailand or Taiwan Province of China. These same enterprises have frequently already exceeded production, environmental and political acceptance limits in their home countries."(pg 1)
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1996-03
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With permission of the license/copyright holder