Industry Review
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Reducing GHG emissions from Indonesia's shrimp aquaculture low. Between 1990 to 2019, 400,000ha of new ponds were created. Most were extensive ponds. Mangrove loss was around 380,000ha, mostly in Kalimantan and Sumatra. The worst-case scenario is the projected loss of 600,000ha which is equal to one billion tonnes CO2e by 2035. There is the Indonesian experience in Mahakam Delta, Kalimantan on how to normalise productivity. “In 1996, when mangroves dominated the delta, productivity was 300kg/ha/year. This went down to 100kg/ha/year when mangroves were reduced by 50%. This means we can reverse the situation if we restore the mangrove forest.”
“When costs of restoration,
Dr Ilman Muhammad, Director of Oceans Program, Yayasan Konservasi Alam Nusantara, Indonesia presented on “Challenges and Opportunities in Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Indonesia's Shrimp Aquaculture” at TARS 2021.
T
he current shrimp aquaculture model in Indonesia can be divided into three types: extensive (no input with low outputs); semi-intensive and intensive, or superintensive. Each type has their own unique greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. For intensive ponds GHG comes from feed materials, farm energy and effluent. For extensive ponds, the GHG comes from vegetation loss (conversion of mangrove) and soil carbon. Cutting mangrove means loss of carbon into the atmosphere.
certification and other costs are considered, the economic feasibility is viable only with premium price paid to shrimp with certification at USD1/kg...
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In Kalimantan, he measured the soil carbon of active ponds. In Thailand, abandoned ponds function as carbon sinks (Elwin et al. 2019). There are, however, some costs, as mangrove restoration may not increase incomes of farmers. “In 2015, we used 1,000ha shrimp farm as a case study. When costs of restoration, certification and other costs are considered, the economic feasibility is viable only with premium price paid to shrimp with certification at USD1/kg and carbon emission reduction is sold at USD5/ tonne CO2 and with soft loans and government support. Our problem is that the farmer may not wish to borrow money and in the first 4 years, income is negative.
Dr Ilman Muhammad from Nature Conservancy Foundation, Indonesia (Yayasan Konservasi Alam Nusantara), highlighted some steps to reduce the impact 300kg/ha. In stage 2” (year 3-5), we will upscale to 5,000ha and in stage 3, (year 5-15) increase of shrimp aquaculture on the environment. “This was evaluated in a site in Berau, Kalimantan. The productivity with green energy from 300kg/ha to 2-3 tonnes/ha.” mangrove was restored, and ponds were reduced. The wayshowed forward is low emission andintensive carbon reduction in shrimp aquaculture. In intensive Ilman data where shrimp farming (annual Productivity was normalised with better aquaculture aquaculture, it will involve increasing the efficiency of feed and ingredients, reducing energy use, harvest 60 tonnes/ha) produces far less CO : emissions practices from 30kg/ha to 200-300kg/ha. In stage 2 2 and utilising renewable energy. The key takeaway messages are: In extensive aquaculture, we must are 2.3-14kg COareas e from energy and feed, for mangroves (year 3-5), we will upscale to 5,000ha and in stage 3, stop opening mangrove for shrimp ponds. In existing farms,whereas we need to restore by 2 extensive (annual harvest <100kg/ha) emissions (year 5-15) increase productivity with green energy from reducing pondsystems sizes by 20-50% and improve technology in smaller ponds to increase productivity. end- 2,250 kg CO e due land use change. In Indonesia, are 300kg/ha to 2-3 tonnes/ha.” 2 Ilman estimated that extensive farming contributes Photo of mangrove -no caption 10-20% to the national production which is relatively The way forward is low emission and carbon reduction in shrimp aquaculture. In intensive aquaculture, it will involve increasing the efficiency of feed and ingredients, reducing energy use, and utilising renewable energy. The key takeaway messages are, " In extensive aquaculture, we must stop opening mangrove areas for shrimp ponds. In existing farms, we need to restore mangroves by reducing pond sizes by 20-50% and improve technology in smaller ponds to increase productivity. "
September/October 2021 AQUA Culture Asia Pacific
