 |
Marine |  |
| About Our Oceans | ||
| Problems | ||
| Our Solutions | ||
| WWF Global Marine Programme | ||
| Marine Protected Areas | ||
| Sustainable fishing | ||
| Sustainable use | ||
| Climate change | ||
| News | ||
| Publications | ||
| What You Can Do | ||
 |
 |
|
Sustainable use: Aquaculture
What's the problem?
Aquaculture is an important economic activity in many countries, and can offer a number of benefits to society. However, this rapidly growing industry is associated with a number of serious environmental and social issues, whose consequences have proven disastrous in some areas of the world.
Find out more...
Find out more...
A sustainable future for shrimp farming
Shrimp farming has developed rapidly in recent years in many developing countries, and currently provides some 30% of all shrimp in the market.
However, although it has brought significant benefits to some areas, the industry has also been associated with environmental degradation and social conflict.
To help make shrimp farming more sustainable, in 1999 WWF joined forces with the World Bank, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific (NACA) to form the Shrimp Farming and the Environment Consortium.
The consortium has taken the lead in supporting research into planning and managing sustainable shrimp farming, and disseminating the results to a broad audience of stakeholders. In addition to environmental issues, it also gives special attention to poverty, labour, and equity issues.
Positive results
Case studies developed by the consortium in various countries are already having positive impacts. For example:
Further information:
To help make shrimp farming more sustainable, in 1999 WWF joined forces with the World Bank, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific (NACA) to form the Shrimp Farming and the Environment Consortium.
The consortium has taken the lead in supporting research into planning and managing sustainable shrimp farming, and disseminating the results to a broad audience of stakeholders. In addition to environmental issues, it also gives special attention to poverty, labour, and equity issues.
Positive results
Case studies developed by the consortium in various countries are already having positive impacts. For example:
- In Mexico, case study findings are changing the ways NGOs and foundations view and engage the shrimp farming industry to work together to reduce agro-chemical runoff from commercial agricultural farms.
- In Brazil, one case study provided the basis for policies and investment screens to be put in place that support more sustainable management practices for shrimp farming.
- The outcome of a multi-country, thematic analysis of shrimp disease issues helped promote regional cooperation on the movement of animals in Latin America both among governments and shrimp producers.
- In Vietnam, a case study raised awareness about the potential connection between aquaculture and poverty alleviation, and led to a new orientation of government policy towards poverty-focused aquaculture development.
- In Bangladesh, a case study promoted dialogue between NGOs and the government and led to wider appreciation of social issues in shrimp farming development. The case also contributed to the development of management strategies for a World Bank-supported project in coastal areas.
- In Colombia, a case study explored the use of an artificially expanded natural mangrove as a biofilter to treat effluent from a shrimp farm. There is considerable interest in the incorporation of natural biofilters in shrimp operations as a way to avoid pollution and, in the case of Colombia, the pollution taxes they generate.
Further information: