If better management (BMP) was adopted in Vietnam there is evidence that the current trends and past environmental degradation can be stopped and even reversed, and shrimp production efficiency can be increased. Major environmental problems include increased ecological consequences of the conversion of natural ecosystems, particularly mangroves, build shrimp ponds, the effect of salinity of groundwater and agricultural land industrial use of fish meal in shrimp diets increased output of nitrogen, pollution of coastal waters due to sewage ponds, the biodiversity issues arising from the collection of wild parents and seeds , and the social conflicts in some coastal areas | Australian Government AusAID Ministry of Agriculture Rural Development Project Progress Report 002 05 VIE Technical and economic feasibility of applying the Better Management Practices BMP to household aquaculture in Vietnam MS-2 BMP OVERVIEW REPORT May 2007 1 Overview of Better Management Practices for Shrimp Aquaculture in Vietnam Virginia Mosk Animal Biology University of Western Australia If better management practices BMPs are adopted in Vietnam there is evidence that the current and past trends of environmental degradation can be halted and even reversed and that the efficiency of shrimp production can be increased. Major environmental issues raised include the ecological consequences of the conversion of natural ecosystems particularly mangroves for the construction of shrimp ponds the effects of salination of groundwater and agricultural land use of fish meal in shrimp diets increasing nitrogen outputs pollution of coastal waters due to pond effluents biodiversity issues arising from collection of wild broodstock and seed and social conflicts on some coastal areas. The sustainability of shrimp culture has been questioned by some in view of self-pollution issues in some shrimp growing areas combined with the introduction of pathogens leading to major shrimp disease outbreaks and significant economic losses in producing countries FAO NACA UNEP WB WWF 2006 . This report outlines the development of BMPs in Vietnam and their current status of adoption. Examples of adoption of BMPs in other countries are given as evidence that environmental issues can be addressed and at the same time production increased leading to increased profits. Rationale for Better Management Practices in Vietnam Household shrimp production in Vietnam is the predominant form of coastal aquaculture. In 2004 approximately 270 000 households farmed shrimp contributing about 90 of the total annual exports of shrimp worth US1 billion. Low standards of education limited farm capital and minimal
