Impact of Shrimp farming on Bangladesh Ecology

The negative of shrimp farming on Bangladesh Ecology is severe and a threat which needs to be checked. Shrimp farming has developed into a major industry in last few years and with that, serious concerns have been raised regarding its negative impact on the Bangladesh Ecology. Shrimp farming has been one of the major contributors to the GDP of Bangladesh since the 1980s. To meet the growing demand of shrimp all over the world, thousands of acres along the coastal region have been brought under shrimp farming. The easy availability of natural resources and the favorable environment of the coastal region have made it an optimum choice for shrimp farming.

Bangladesh’s ecological system has further deteriorated in the recent past years. Apart from using the mangrove swamps in the coastal regions, agricultural lands and cattle grazing fields has been also captured leaving a strong negative impact of these shrimp farm of Bangladesh’s Ecology. This has resulted in the significant drop of crop production in the region along with a shocking 21% decrease in the number of livestock. Haphazard and unplanned capturing of lands for shrimp cultivation has left a lasting negative impact on the Bangladesh ecology particularly in the districts like Cox’s Bazaar, Bagehot, Chittagong, Pirojpur, Khulan etc.

Commercial shrimp farming began in the early 1970s in the southern and south eastern coastal belt in Bangladesh when less than 20,000 hectare brackish water was under shrimp farming. In today’s scenario more than 200,000 hectares have already been brought under shrimp farming which is now disturbing the Bangladesh ecology to a threatening extent. The conversion of coastal wetlands to shrimp farms has decreased the natural breeding grounds for aquatic life. Being a profitable enterprise, Shrimp farming is soon rising to be the biggest threat to Bangladesh’s Ecology as more and more farmers are opting for Shrimp farms. In few districts of Bangladesh such as Bagehot and Pirojpur, farmers are converting their paddy fields in to shrimp farm ponds. All this has resulted in the increase of the salinity levels of the soil.

Negative impact of Shrimp Farming on Bangladesh Ecology is caused by the method used for shrimp farming

There are three methods of Shrimp Farming namely: extensive farming, semi- intensive farming and intensive farming.

• Extensive Farming Method

This is the traditional method of shrimp farming where shrimps are naturally seeded in the pond with the tidal inflow or pumping. This method of shrimp farming causes less pollution however, it has a negative effect on the ecological system. Although extensive farming does not use processed foods, harmful chemicals and antibiotic, it consumes large areas as farmlands and gives relatively smaller returns.

• Intensive and semi intensive methods give relatively large returns but it is also responsible for disturbing the Bangladesh ecology to a great extend as many chemicals, antibiotics, pesticides and processed foods are being used for shrimp farming.

Negative Impact of Shrimp Farming on Bangladesh Ecology – Destruction of Mangroves 

Mangroves are the backbone of Bangladesh and are considered a treasure. They also play a critical role in the Bangladesh ecology as well as in Eco-tourism. But now it is considered as one of the most threatened habitat in the world. More than half of the mangroves have been destroyed for shrimp farming and other purposes. Mangrove swamps are inhabited by migratory birds, turtles, dolphins etc. Loss of the mangroves has led to a drop in the fauna population as their dwelling places are lost. Apart from being the home to variety of wildlife species, mangroves also act as a buffer to large waves. Following the large scale destruction of mangrove swamps, the impact of cyclones on Bangladesh ecology has been devastating.