Author : Nantaporn Onkaew

Summary : The shrimp farming industry in Muang and Ta-Ihang District was characterized and a preliminary assessment of the potential impacts on water quality in the coastal zone of Ban-Chi-Lao, Phuket, Thailand were done from February to June 2003. A total of 29 randomly selected shrimp farmers were interviewed. Water samples were collected from four shrimp ponds and the adjoining coastal area and chemically analyzed based on salinity, pH, temperature, transparency, TSS, Chl-a, DO, BOD, NH3-N, NO2-N,NO3-N, TN, ortho-P and TP. Descriptive statistics and correlation analysis were done using SPSS. The shrimp farmers were primarily male from Phuket and had a college degree. Most of largest-scale respondents owned the land and had longer experience than the smaller scale. Compared with the recommended stocking densities for shrimp farming, the general stocking rate in the study area is rated excessive. As a result there is tendency towards over feeding which could lead to a water quality degradation, reduced survival rates, and increased possibility of shrimp disease outbreaks, hence, low production. This chain of events might explain the diminishing shrimp production currently experienced in Phuket. Use of some dangerous chemicals and prohibited antibiotics by farmers might have a potential health risk for humans. To achieve sustainable shrimp farming development, it is recommended that the stock density be reduced and better quality of broodstock be used.