Environmental Science, 10th Edition (Cunningham)

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Overview: Shrimp Ponds, Thailand, p. 210

One of the most rapidly growing forms of aquaculture is raising shrimp in artificial ponds. Shrimp are highly prized in many cultures. They can be raised in captivity quickly and easily. The product brings high prices and is easily frozen and shipped all over the world. Shrimp, which once was a rare and expensive delicacy, has become the most popular seafood in America. Until recently, most shrimp were caught in the open ocean, but today most shrimp are raised in artificial ponds in tropical coastal areas where seawater is available and wastes can be pumped into the ocean. In 2003, more than 1.8 million metric tons of shrimp were raised in captivity. Thailand was the world's largest producer (about 25% of the total) and the U.S. was the world's largest consumer (about half of all shrimp consumed in the world).

This causes a number of environmental problems. Construction of these ponds destroys valuable coastal habitat—particularly mangrove forests that once protected coastlines and acted as a nursery for a wide variety of sea life. In the densely crowed ponds, diseases spread quickly, so that operators need to use high levels of pesticides and antibiotics to keep the shrimp healthy. Wastewater from the ponds—rich in uneaten food, feces, dead animals, antibiotics, and cleansing agents—contaminates near coastal waters and results in eutrophication. Few farmers successfully complete the full life-cycle of the shrimp in captivity. Instead, shrimp larvae are harvested from the wild—thus depleting native stocks and other species caught along with the shrimp—and introduced into the ponds. Shrimp are carnivorous, so wild fish are caught and processed into fishmeal for shrimp food. By some estimates, one-third of all wild-caught fish now go into fishmeal for various types of aquaculture. This is a tremendous drain on wild fish populations.

1			In this view of the Thai coast, how much of the coastline between developed areas is devoted to shrimp ponds?
			A)	None of it
			B)	A little of it
			C)	Half of it
			D)	Three quarters of it
			E)	All of it
2			Why do some ponds appear green?
			A)	There are several differently colored ponds, each one reflecting a different stage in the growth process of the shrimp.
			B)	The green ponds are for the green shrimp, considered a delicacy in Thailand.
			C)	An antibiotic agent is colored green so the farmer knows which pond received it.
			D)	The excess nutrients in the water are probably supporting high levels of algae.
			E)	The green color is due to an optical illusion caused by a different angle of light reflection.
3			The narrow forested strip along the coastline is mainly mangroves. Mangroves are an important nursery for fish and shrimp and bird life. If shrimp ponds are replacing mangroves, how might they affect the lives of people in these coastal villages?
			A)	There will be fewer fish, wild shrimp, and other seafood available for the villagers.
			B)	There will be less of the juicy mangrove fruit available for consumption by villagers.
			C)	There will be less of a wind break off the ocean from the mangrove trees.
			D)	Different types of fish will invade the area, displacing the native food fish.
			E)	There will be less mangrove wood available for lumber to build houses.