The Problems Associated with Marine Shrimp Farming in Bangladesh - Essay Example

THE PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH SHRIMP FARMING IN BANGLADESH Name: Instructor: Course: Institution: Date: The problems associated with shrimp farming in Bangladesh Introduction The modern Shrimp farming in ponds, impoundments, tanks, raceways commenced in the early 1970s and as of recent, approximately over fifty countries are engaged in Shrimp farming. For instance, in the Eastern Hemisphere, Vietnam, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, China and India are the Shrimp farming leaders whereas countries such as Taiwan, Bangladesh, Australia Sri Lanka and Myanmar are the current leaders since they possess larger industries (Alday-Sanz, 2010, 3). In the Western Hemisphere, Ecuador, Brazil, Guatemala, Venezuela, Panama, and Belize are the leading Shrimp producers and at the same time there are a number of farms in Honduras, Colombia Nicaragua and Peru (Leung & Engle 2007, 33). Additionally, the Shrimp importing nations such as the Western Europe, Japan and the United States specialize in high-tech shrimp farming but as per now, their Shrimp production has been to some extent been significant. Moreover, in the Middle East, Iran and Saudi Arabia produce Shrimp in large numbers. Shrimp farm in most countries use a two-phase or a one-phase cycle, in this case, they stock juvenile shrimp from nursery hatcheries, ponds and thereafter, they are later then transferred to growout ponds (Leung & Engle 2007, 35). Additionally, in the employment of one-phase cycle, there is the elimination of nursery ponds meaning that the Shrimps are in one way or the other directly stocked into growout ponds after completing their stance in the acclimation (Alday-Sanz, 2010, 5). By so saying, it means that, normally, farms produce two crops annually, although those firms within equator range get a minimum of three crops annually. Suitable agro-climatic conditions, cheap labor, availability of water resources, multinational corporations and international donor agencies involvement are causing shrimp farming to expand and grow globally (Barbier & Suthawan 2004, 20). As much as it contributes to poverty reduction, food security and economic benefits as well as job creation, it is in one way or the other facing a number of problems. For instance, displacement of traditional livelihood, market fluctuations and social unrests are some of the social problems associated with shrimp farming in Europe and the rest of the world (Leung & Engle 2007, 38). Moreover, environmental challenges such as mangrove degradation, sedimentation, salt water intrusion, disease outbreaks and pollution are as well challenges and problems that are associated with the farming of Shrimp globally Viewpoint from a local villager The local villager was of the opinion that, Bangladesh being a low lying country, it is vulnerable to the rising sea level and in terms of ranking, and it is the most vulnerable country to flood plains and adverse effects of climatic changes (Ponnusamy 2004, 67). The villager continued by arguing that, approximately eighty percent of the Bangladesh area is regarded as floodplains and moreover, its precarious geographical location makes it more prone to climatic and natural disasters. Additionally, climate change causes devastating effects on devastating effects on fishery-based livelihoods as well as the domestic supply of food. Moreover, Vulnerability of marine livelihood may be increased substantially in the near future due to climatic changes and the absence of adaptation, increased cyclones intensity and frequency would cause fishing materials as well as the loss of fish (Ponnusamy 2004, 68). According to the villager, increasing salinity and over-fishing is as well causing problems to shrimp farming. The villager continued by arguing that , quite a large number of Shrimps in Bangladesh are over-exploited in an effort to meet the demand for shrimps. By way of explanation, statistically, marine shrimp farming counts for approximately twenty-percent of the total fish production (Alday-Sanz, 2010, 3). However, the villager postulated that, this statistics are under threat because of the dangers of over-fishing which possesses significant challenges on resources of individuals around the marine hence increasing over dependence of distance water shrimp farming in the long run (Barbier & Suthawan 2004, 25). Another problem that is affecting individuals living around Shrimp farming is water pollution and is increasingly becoming a public health issue as well as a constraining factor as far as food production for individuals living around Shrimp farms (Alday-Sanz, 2010, 3). In this case, the villager stated clearly that, industrial effluent, pesticide run-off, fertilizers, improper household disposal of waste, poor sewerage infrastructure play a very larger role in polluting water in areas around Shrimp farms and industries in Bangladesh (Barbier & Suthawan 2004, 24). Additionally, according to the villager, canals and rivers that are located near urban centers are in danger of sedimentation and siltation as a result of soil erosion mainly because of industrial expansion, soil erosion and in the process, a number of all these urban-based water bodies are so polluted that they cannot support Shrimp farming and they as well make the individuals living around Shrimp farms and industries to lack clean water for drinking hence making their living standards so challenging. View point from a marine shrimp grower In a shrimp owner’s perspective, ecologically-sensitive environmental habitat has been set aside to establish ponds necessary for shrimp production. In the process, the shrimp owner believes that some aquifers that are so important in Shrimp farming end up being contaminated with salt water (Alday-Sanz, 2010, 10). Additionally, the shrimp grower believed that, some forms of marine shrimp farming have to some extent caused devastating implications on mangroves around Bangladesh which are significant to fisheries and wildlife and in the process, acts as buffers to the implications of storms. The Shrimp grower continued by explaining that, the loss of mangroves around the coastal areas of Bangladesh has destabilized the whole coastal zones with the most affected shrimp growers being those closer to the coastal shores (Peluso & Watts 2001, 49). Owing to the fact that, in most tropical climates, it takes 3-4 months to produce enough farmed shrimp for the market, the shrimp grower felt that, steady stream of chemicals, organic wastes; antibiotics pollute the ground water and coastal estuaries (Barbier & Suthawan 2004, 29). Moreover, the ponds can also produce salty water which can as well seep into farming ground and onto the Shrimp farming fields. Another notable problem the Shrimp grower raised was the outbreak of diseases that affect marine life. By way of explanation, the introduction of pathogens in Shrimp farming can in one way or the other lead to disease outbreaks with devastating effects. In this case, whenever the shrimp become infected with a certain disease, they do not swim on the bottom of the pond but rather on the surface (Barbier & Suthawan 2004, 27). By so doing, the shrimp grower felt that Seagulls may consume the infected shrimp which can subsequently defecate a few miles away in another pond hence spreading the pathogens which makes most shrimp farmers to incur losses and in the process, causing socioeconomic implications such as lack of employment (Peluso & Watts 2001, 47). Owing to this fact, the shrimp grower argued that, some farmers go ahead to capture small shrimps in an effort to restock their ponds but they end up depleting the shrimp population in Bangladesh. The Politician’s stand on Shrimp farming in Bangladesh The politician acknowledged that shrimp farming contributes so much to the country’s foreign exchange, food production as well as employment creation in Bangladesh (Barbier & Suthawan 2004, 27). Additionally, the net revenues that are realized by shrimp farmers have been notably high since they have in one way or the other established some solutions to the challenges that are currently facing the industry (Ponnusamy 2004, 67). However, the politician was of the opinion that the current Shrimp farming state is quite volatile owing to the fact that that there are a number of market access and global trade concerns which basically includes the uncertainties as far as the industry regulation and the lower levels of corporation between shrimp farmers are concerned (Alday-Sanz, 2010, 12) . By way of explanation, the politician clearly indicated that, if the shrimp farming industry has to achieve its great full potential, then its farmers must establish a way of determining the challenges and the problems faced by the shrimp production entrepreneurs. Another concern raised by the politician was that, lack of clear cut communication channels between the shrimp farmers is holding back the shrimp industry. Additionally, this problem is highly evident especially during water discharge in canals and rivers as well as stocking and harvesting days (Barbier & Suthawan 2004, 24). In this case, it is clear that the shrimp farming industry lacks skilled labors who can innovate communication modes and channels which can help make the industry more common through advertisement, promotions and more commercial so as to increase the countries net revenues (Baliao & Tookwinas, 2002, 105). The politician also stated that obtaining the operational license and project clearance from the authorities in charge of aquaculture is also a problem to most shrimp farmers in Bangladesh. Conclusion Shrimp farming as a sustainable and potential valuable economic activity should be acknowledged as of utmost importance as far as development is concerned for assistance by the Bangladesh government (Barbier & Suthawan 2004, 24). Additionally, there is need to acknowledge and recognize that the local communities and the parties involved with shrimp farming are all aware of the challenges and problems associated with shrimp farming and enforce conditions as well as measures to realize an environmental friendly shrimp farming. In this case, developing enough institutional and legal measures to control shrimp farming activities in ecological vulnerable areas will ensure that social, ecological and economic problems are eliminated at all local levels in Bangladesh (Baliao & Tookwinas, 2002, 105). Additionally, shrimp farming should only be encouraged in areas that are conditionally suitable for that purpose (Barbier & Suthawan 2004, 24). By so saying, it means that, owing to the problems associated with shrimp farming, the entrepreneurs should consider the site-specific water and soil characteristics, effluent discharge, pond designs, and sewerage treatment techniques before initiating their shrimp enterprise. Continuous communication between the financial institutions, banks, industries, government and research institutions as well as support services as far as production, input supply, extension credit extension and training at the local firm level should in one way or the other be strengthened ( Baliao & Tookwinas, 2002,105). Additionally, strengthening links between shrimp farmers will enable them to share and encourage each other on their experiences. In other words, strategies for developing and eliminating the challenges associated with shrimp farming needs to be set up in order to push this industry to the next level (Peluso & Watts 2001, 47). Therefore, with proper farming, shrimp production has greater advantages which range from potential for high profitability, utilization of agriculture, employment generation, and high ratio of food conversation for Bangladesh as a whole. References Alday-Sanz, V. (2010). The shrimp book. Nottingham, Nottingham university press. Baliao, D. D., & Tookwinas S. (2002). Best management practices for a mangrove- friendly shrimp farming. Tigbauan, Iloilo, Philippines, aquaculture dept., Southeast Asian fisheries development center. Ballao B. D. and Tookwinas S. 2002. Best management practices for a mangrove-friendly shrimp farming. Tigbauan, Iloilo, Philippines: Aquaculture Dept., Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center. Barbier, E., & Suthawan Sathirathai. (2004). Shrimp farming and mangrove loss in Thailand. Cheltenham, UK, Edward Elgar. Http://public.eblib.com/choice/publicfullrecord.aspx?p=210441. Leung, P., & Engle, C. (2007). Shrimp culture economics, market, and trade. Hoboken, john Wiley & sons. Http://www.123library.org/book_details/?id=21434. Peluso, N. L., & Watts, M. (2001). Violent environments: [from a workshop on "violence and the environment" held at the University of California, Berkeley, in September 1998]. Ithaca, NY [u.a.], Cornell Univ Press. Ponnusamy K. 2004. Entrepreneurship problems of shrimp farmers 1: Planning implementation. Retrieved from: http://www.enaca.org/modules/news/article.php?article_id=457 Read More