Should shrimp culture be blamed? The interactions of diverse natural resources utilization in shrimp culture

Abstract

Due to high demand and high price received for the produce and also due to capture fishery can no longer meet the demand, the shrimp culture industry is rapidly growing, especially in coastal belt of Asia where most of the environmental factors are conducive. In recent years, number of problems associated with the expansion of the industry has been identified. Therefore, the shrimp culture is considered to be environmentally damaging and unfriendly and as such it has been the target of criticism by environmental conservation lobby groups. As a result of such criticism the general public is of the impression that the shrimp farming is dangerous to the environment and to the economic development of a country. This paper explores the popular negative image of shrimp pond culture, focusing on the diverse natural resources utilization by the industry in tropical coastal areas.