Ecological and economic analysis for different shrimp farming models in China

The economic and ecological effects of three shrimp farming models commonly adopted in China, including the indoor super-intensive culture model (ISIC), the pond integrated multi-trophic aquaculture model (PIMTA), and the pond mono-culture model (PMC) were evaluated in this study. The economic and ecological effects of the three models were quantitatively estimated using a series of statistical analyses. The break-even analysis of the three models indicated that the unit output of ISIC and PMC was comparatively higher than others. Meanwhile, the variable cost of ISIC and PMC was much higher than the fixed cost, while PIMTA presented the opposite result. However, the cost-benefit study showed that PIMTA had the greatest profit margin. Regarding ecological effects, the comparison of water quality factors and pollutant emissions indicated that the PIMTA model could comparatively decrease the nitrogen and phosphorus discharge from aquaculture sewage and prevent water eutrophication. Moreover, PIMTA led to a higher bacterial diversity than ISIC. Furthermore, the analysis of the carbon sink capacity of the three cultivation modes showed that the PIMTA model had the highest carbon sink capacity of 812.21 g kg−1. When PIMTA shrimp production is 0.72 times higher than the total production of ISIC and PMC, the goal of zero CO2 emissions can be achieved. By combining ISIC high-density farming with PIMTA ecological farming, companies can effectively balance the ecological damage caused by shrimp farming by adjusting the ratio of ISIC and PIMTA while addressing the market demand for shrimp.