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Project Record

Objectives:

The work would be developed in joint collaboration between IOA and MRAG. IOA would provide the field based experimental inputs and practical aspects of farming system description
MRAG would provide management/system modelling inputs and advise DFID where appropriate in developing economic characterisations.
1.)(IOA) - Data collection from different farm systems in different areas. Quantification of production intensity, fixed costs, environmental parameters, farm size/density. The collection of socio-economic information regarding employment, labour costs, job diversity within the areas studied will also be attempted. This field data will be collected from the different shrimp farming provinces of Thailand. A more detailed survey will be made in the Songkhla/Ranod/Nakhorn Sri Thammarat region.
2.)(IOA) - Experimental trials to validate the integration of shrimp culture with bivalve/fish/seaweed culture. Initial observations suggest great potential for system modifications such as these as they promise greatly increased sustainability. The carrying capacities, stocking densities and production will be assessed for the different components allowing general operational parameter models to be derived.
3.)(MRAG) - Investigation of critical water quality management parameters and their effect on farm impact and sustainability. This would be based partly on data collected during DFID project RD4751 and also on new inputs from the present project.
4.)(IOA/MRAG) - Integration of water quality/management models with data concerning farming systems. The intention is to develop a method for assessing the components of different shrimp culture systems in environmental, economic and socio-economic terms.

Progress and Impact:

Work was based on shrimp farming in Thailand, and demonstrated large variations in management even within regions. Sustainability priorities differ, but constraints are fairly consistent, including:

* high risk in the system and environment, linked to land tenure and associated social issues.
* economic risks, credit access and implementation.
* viral disease introduction to farms and transfer between farms/regions.
* water quality, its management,and knowledge associations.
* Market pressures, and the lack of incentives supporting investment in sustainable systems.
* inappropriate education, training and information delivery for farmers.
* lack of participatory decisions at all levels of the industry and within coastal management policy.

Studies on alternative low impact systems have indicated their potential. Data from R4751 was used to assess critical water quality factors, establish a relational database, and model nitrogen dynamics. Both have helped clarify system sensitivities and opportunities for effective management changes.

Project Conclusions:

The project has made important steps to identify constraints and strategies for sustainable use of coastal zones. Models have helped define environment/production interfaces, while socio- economic assessment has provided a better understanding of influences on farmers' practices, some of which may accentuate initial problems, and lead away from sustainable management. Better strategies might be identified to alleviate farmers risks and fears and resolve broader problems.

Publications:

Cowan VJ, Lorensen K and Funge-Smith SJ (subm). Impact of culture intensity and season on water quality in Thai commercial shrimp farms. Submitted to Aquaculture Research.



Lorenzen K, Struve J and Cowan VJ (1997). Impact of stocking density and water management on nitrogen dynamics in intensive pond culture: a mathematical model applied to Thai commercial shrimp farms. Aquaculture Research, 28: 493-507



Dr Funge-Smith also contributed new chapters in the writing of the second edition of ,Shrimp Health Management,, the training manual accompanying the AAHRI workshops.



Chanratchakool P, Turnbull JF, Funge-Smith S and Lisuwan C. 1995. Health Management in Shrimp Ponds (second edition) Aquatic Animal Health Research Institute, 111p.

Paper File Reference:

NRD 9800 522/792/001