Enforcement of cleaner production practices in shrimp farming through economic and regulatory measures : a case study in Thailand | |
| Author | Francisco, Lidia Sanchez San |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no. EV-02-14 |
| Subject(s) | Shrimp fisheries--Environmental aspects Shrimp industry--Environmental aspects |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering. School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. EV-02-14 |
| Abstract | This research deals with sustainability of present shrimp farming practices in Thailand. Reasons for this unsustainability are presented in details. The data is obtained through primary as well as secondary sources. Shrimp farming is primarily a family-owned business in Thailand. The farmers have low educational background, with family size of about 4-6. Although the farmers have some knowledge about adverse impacts on environment such as water pollution and depletion of fisheries due to shrimp farming, they do not employ any substantial waste management practices. Over 90% of the respondents showed willingness for adopting production practices that would lead to lesser environmental pollution. Several of the present shrimp farming practices are unsustainable primarily due to nutrient discharges, poor waste and sediment management practices and land abandonment. Typical production rate is 1,000 - 3,000 kg/rai/crop. FCR ratios of around 1.4 - 2.5 are commonly encountered thus can be concluded that operation practices are running in suboptimal levels due to the high amounts of feed supplied to the shrimps. The uneaten feed, which is wasted, contributes to environmental impacts like water pollution. The survey showed that the cost of feed accounts for about 77% of the total costs. To maintain stisfactory water quality in the pond, water exchange is commonly practiced and daily water exchange of about 5 - 25% is employed. Discharge into water canals or sea is common. About 50% of respondents have preliminary wastewater treatment, while remaining discharge the wastewater into the sea or canals without treatment. The sediments after harvesting are usually settled in a holding pond and then disposed to the land without appropriate treatment. Typically, the number of shrimp crops undertaken in the given pond is about 5-8. After that the farmers leave the pond as it is and unde1iake shrimp farming at a new site. The Government of Thailand has set effluent standard for BOD as 10 ppm. However, standards for nutrient discharge such as nitrogen and phosphorus are not yet in place. In Thailand, the legal framework with penalties for non-compliance regarding license, registration, zoning for shrimp farming, etc. does exist. The "Environment Act" in general deals with preservation aspects of environment and serves as a guideline to minimize the environmental impact of shrimp farming. Lack of coordination among these authorities is often a major obstacle in satisfactory enforcement of the legal framework. Application of economic instruments such as environmental charges, environment funds and incentives and ecolabelling are also suggested in this research to make present shrimp farming practices sustainable. |
| Year | 2002 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis; no. EV-02-14 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Energy and Climate Change (Former title: Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Change (DEECC)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Environmental Engineering (EV) |
| Chairperson(s) | Annachhatre, Ajit P |
| Examination Committee(s) | Lin, C K wei ;Amin, A. T. M. Nmul ;Harremoes, Poul |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | European Union |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2002 |