A Comparison of Macrobenthos Occurence in Organic and Conventional Marine Shrimp Farms in Guarairas Lagoon, Rio Grande do Norte State, Brazil

Publication Type

Working paper

Authors

Lima, J.S.G., Santos, A.S., Almeida, E.A., Santos, R.L. and Focken, U

Year of publication

2006

Published in

Journal of the World Aquaculture Society

This study is a quantitative and qualitative characterization of the macrobenthos population along the rearing cycle inside an intensive, a semi-intensive and an organic marine shrimp grow-out ponds located at Guaraíras Lagoon estuary, Rio Grande do Norte State, Brazil. The organic marine shrimp farming is a management adopted recently in Guarairas Lagoon estuary. The local organic practices applied, including the non-use of artificial feed, can be an alternative for the sustainable development of the marine shrimp industry in Guarairas Lagoon, which has been facing environmental concerns. The study of the macrobenthos population can provide relevant information about the conventional and organic marine shrimp systems as macrobenthos are pollution indicators and they are important item in the diet of the marine shrimps. Due to the significantly lowest content of organic matter, phosphorus, and nitrogen in the soil from the organic pond, as well the highest species richness found inside the organic pond the organic system is considered in this study more environmentally friendly than the conventional ones.