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The study aimed to highlight the profitability and production function analysis of Penaeus monodon and Litopenaeus vannamei in intensified shrimp farms in Gujarat (India). Two hundred and twenty (220) shrimp farm households were used to identify (principal component and cluster analyses) 8 clusters of management practices that reflected various scales of production intensity ranging from 0–2999 kg/ha/crop to 9000kg/ha/crop and above for both the species. The Cobb-Douglas production function, which relates production output to several independent input variables, was used to determine productivity. The budgeting analysis for both the species showed that more intensively managed farms performed more than the less intensive farm. Empirical results show feed as most significant input for Penaeus monodon and Litopenaeus vannamei seed and labor that affected production. Average net returns/ha/year for Penaeus monodon was $16313.13 and for Litopenaeus vannamei $41640.99. Aquaculture exhibited decreasing returns to scale for both the species and estimates on resource use efficiency revealed that in Penaeus monodon the resources were economically utilized and in case of Litopenaeus vannamei the output was likely to increase if more of seed and less of labor would have been used. The major constraint for the shrimp farmers was diseases which can be mitigated by optimum stocking densities and proper feed management.

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Biofloc technology (BFT) is gaining traction as a strategic aquaculture tool for boosting feed conversions, biosecurity, and wastewater recycling. The significant aspect of BFT is aquaculture with highest stocking density and minimal water exchange. It not only improves the water quality of a system by removing inorganic nitrogen from wastewater but also serves as a suitable feed supplement and probiotic source for cultured species. This technology is commonly used for shrimp and tilapia culture and can be used for both semi-intensive and intensive culture systems. Biofloc, when combined with formulated diets, forms a balanced food chain that improves growth performance. Nutrients in this system are continuously recycled and reused and form an efficient alternative system in aquaculture. In addition to the reduction in water exchange, it is also considered as a bio-security measure, since it prevents entry of disease from outside sources. Aquamimicry is an innovative concept that simulates natural estuarine conditions by developing copepods that act as supplementary nutrition especially for shrimp culture. The review highlights the process, significance, and development of BFT, its microbial interactions, nutritional value, transition from biofloc to copefloc, and concept of aquamimicry to sustainably improve aquaculture production.

Aquaculture is the fastest growing food production industry in terms of annual production growth and has become a significant contributor of essential macro-and micronutrients to the diets of the global population. [1][2][3] Increasing the consumption of farmed aquatic food products over land-raised animal meat could potentially reduce the amount of land required for growing feed crops for a global population expected to reach nine billion people by 2050. 4 However, there is a great deal of uncertainty in the further development of aquaculture due to the high and increasing pressure of environmental challenges and resource constraints. 2,5