Asian Farmed Shrimp & Prawns Sustainability myths & reality Dr. Francis Murray Institute of Aquaculture University of Stirling

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1 Asian Farmed Shrimp & Prawns Sustainability myths & reality Dr. Francis Murray Institute of Aquaculture University of Stirling

2 Aims To compare current sustainability messages on shrimp farming against research outcomes in Asian producer countries (Sustaining Ethical Aquaculture Trade - SEAT)

3 Sources of anti-shrimp messages 1. Environmental NGOs 2. Celebrity chefs 3. Media 4. Scientists? Motives - follow the money?

4 Don t Eat Tropical Shrimp! 1. Ecological destruction 2. Land and other resource dispossession 3. Human-rights abuses 4. Labour rights (esp. processing) 5. Food safety issues Emphasis on food-safety & environmental claims

5 Recent examples Swedish Nature Conservancy (2011) - Murky waters: shrimp farming in Bangladesh - The devastating truth behind shrimp farming - The truth behind "organic" shrimp farming in Ecuador Greenpeace Germany (2012) - Schmutzige Shrimps - Die Geschäfte der Garnelen Industrie Kauffman 2012: carbon footprint claims

6 Common practices? Generalisations based on (worst) case-studies! Polemic (contentious argument - support beliefs) Ignored variability Inc. species, farming systems, farm-scale & industry consolidation, location Problem of lack of robust sample-frames

7 SEAT producer countries & species Country/ Species Tilapia Pangasii d Catfish Penaeid Shrimp Freshwater Prawns China Vietnam Thailand Bangladesh

8 Intensive: Farming systems high stocking density, complete feeds, pumped water supply & aeration Extensive: low stocking density, natural feed or fertilisation, low water exchange Semi-intensive intermediate (on-farm feeds)

9 Farming systems Country Main Species Farm System Yield (t/ha) Thailand (1) L. vannamei Intensive 6-10 China (2) L. vannamei Intensive Semi Vietnam (3) L. vannamei P. Monodon Intensive Semi Extensive Bangladesh (>10) P. monodon M. rosenbergii Extensive Semi

10 Export traceability Full: highly consolidated sectors Thailand (FMD ) China (CIQ 2004) Partial: fragmented sectors Bangladesh Vietnam (processor responsibility?)

11 Uthai Thani Chainat Kanchanaburi Suphanburi Singburi Angthong Ubon Ratchathani Thailand Lopburi Nakhon Sisaket Ratchasima Surin Buriram Saraburi Ayutthaya Nakhon Nayok Nakhom Pathumthani Pathom Nonthaburi Bangkok Chachoengsao Ratchaburi Samut Sakhon Samut Songkham Samut Prakan Chonburi Srakaew Petchburi Rayong Chanthaburi Prachuab Kirikhan Trat Ranong Phang Nga Chumphon Surat Thani Krabi Nakhon Sri Thamarat Trang Pattalung Intensive pond monoculture of L. vannamei Largest companies vertically integrated e.g. CP 10% of total production Satun SongKhla Pattani Yala Narathiwat Source: A. Nietes Satapornvanit - Unpublished

12 Semi-intensive prawn, fish, rice, dyke crops Banglades h Rural Auction Shrimp, Prawn, fish, rice, dyke crops Ice Transport Extensive & semiintensive shrimp, fish ponds Processing: No vertical integration Source: L. Facloner - Unpublished

13 Vietnam Intensive pangasius ponds Mekong Delta Processing Some vertical integration Extensive & Semi-intensive P. monodon ponds Source: Phan T.L. - Unpublished Intensive L. vannamei ponds

14 Land-use & mangrove impacts Kauffman (2012): 198kg C0 2 / 100g shrimp based on: 50-60% farms in former mangrove areas Productivity kg/ha Ponds abandoned after 3-9 years Boyd & Clay 2012 (WWF): Est. 10% historic clearance due to shrimp Major clearances 1970 s to mid 1990 s

15 Bangladesh example SE Bangladesh (Cox s Bazaar) - 25% vol Extensive mangrove clearance 1980 s & 1990 s SW Bangladesh (Khulna) - 75% vol 2ndry clearance low-yielding rice in polderised estuarine flood plains Sunderbans negligible impact (wild juveniles?) Impact allocation problem Flooded paddy highest agric. CO 2 emission! LCA: PAS 2050 land-use refinement?

16 Year of farm establishment (n=200) Vietnam China

17 Bangladesh aquatic species biodiversity n = 97 Source: Carbonara S. - Unpublished

18 Public domain Food safety food safety still paramount Continues to have greatest impact on global value chain configurations? Strong linkage with disease prevalence A key driver of consolidation through costs of traceability requirements & poor diagnostic capacity of smaller farms

19 RASFF notifications Imports to EU from Thailand DoF FMD intervention Shrimp: no notifications since 2008!

20 RASFF notifications Imports to EU from China Antibiotic Residues CIQ registration

21 RASFF notifications Imports to EU from Vietnam Pangasius: -Other veterinary --Pathogenic micro-organisms -Pesticides Shrimp: -Antibiotics -Pathogenic microorganisms -Unauthorized treatment Capture: -Heavy metals -Food additives -Allergens (P. monodon)

22 RASFF notifications per 1,000mt of imports from Vietnam to EU Shrimp notification per 18,500mt Pangasius notification per 25,600mt

23 RASFF notifications Imports to EU from Bangladesh Recurrent EU/ GoB bans! Prawns now main culprit! UNIDO registration - >200k farms!

24 Conclusions Reductionist sustainability messages ignore wide variation in environmental, social and economic performance Evidence that trade-related standards drive improved management Through consolidation? social impacts? SEAT: incorporation of evidence-based indicators of sustainability in an Ethical Aquatic Food Index (EAFI)

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