Floating cages in open sea water: an alternative for promoting integrated aquaculture in Brazil

摘要

Shrimp aquaculture has expanded rapidly in Brazil during the past 20 years. The country has half of South America's tropical coastline (8,000 km). However, it does not necessarily mean that large areas are suitable for shrimp culture. Shrimp ponds have traditionally been constructed adjacent to estuarine water sources in wetlands and mangrove swamps, mainly in the Brazilian Northeast region. This incursion, sometimes resulting in the destruction of mangrove areas, has created concerns about environmental impacts, as well as conflicts with governmental and non-governmental preservation organizations. Consequently, the growth of the shrimp industry in Brazil has been hampered somewhat, since Brazil's environmental protection laws rigorously controlthe use of coastal lands. Moreover. urban development with residential enterprises located near the beaches has contributed to a high economic evaluation of the coastal lands, which also is a hindrance for shrimp aquaculture development in certain Brazilian states, such as Sao Paulo - Southeast Brazilian coastline.