Shrimp Aquaculture

With proper management these artificial wetlands can be a key refuge for shorebirds.

Shrimp farms, which are artificial wetlands, can play a vital role in the migratory journeys of shorebirds. These farms are human-made habitats designed for the cultivation of aquatic animals under controlled conditions. While their primary purpose is shrimp production, their locations in tropical and subtropical coastal areas make them important sites for biodiversity.

WHY ARE SHRIMP FARMS IMPORTANT FOR SHOREBIRDS?

Shrimp farms have been established on salt marshes and mudflats that were originally home to shorebirds for resting, feeding, and breeding. Despite the fragmentation and loss of natural coastal ecosystems, these shrimp farms serve as artificial wetlands, providing food and temporary shelter for thousands of shorebirds and waterfowl. In some cases, they even act as breeding sites for various species. These farms offer crucial alternative habitats for birds that depend on coastal ecosystems, many of which are in decline.

GOOD PRACTICES

To ensure that shrimp farming positively impacts the conservation of shorebirds, it is crucial to implement management practices that are friendly to these birds. This includes designing and managing shrimp farms and their surrounding habitats to provide safe living conditions, access to food, and shelter while minimizing disturbances to the natural environment. A sustainable approach not only enhances shrimp production but also promotes biodiversity and the health of coastal ecosystems by making shrimp farms compatible with shorebird conservation efforts.

Some shrimp farm management practices can help increase the availability and quality of shorebird habitat at these sites. Some of these practices include:

Identifying and managing vegetation-free walls/dikes for shorebird use and roosting.
Manage water levels in harvested ponds to extend the time of use as a feeding site for shorebirds or leave ponds empty for a minimum of three days on farms with continuous cycles.
Temporarily close shorebird nesting areas or minimize disturbance by protecting nests with netting or special cages.
Place informative signs with recommendations for staff and visitors at sites with the highest concentrations of birds.
Promote a management plan to reduce the disturbance of productive activity that affects shorebirds.
Train shrimp farm personnel.

WHSRN sites with this ecosystem

Focal Species

At least 37 species of shorebirds have been documented using shrimp traps. Within the sites of the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network, some of those using these productive systems are: