Composition and abundance of invertebrate benthic fauna in Farfantepenaeus paulensis culture pens (Patos Lagoon estuary, Southern Brazil)

Shrimp farming as an alternative to artisanal fishermen communities: the Case of Patos Lagoon, Brazil

“…The sediments collected from the shrimp culture pens had significantly lower levels of organic matter than those collected from surrounding areas within the lagoon due to shrimp grazing on the submerged vegetation (Esteves et al, 1999). Nevertheless, the mud and organic matter content did not differ across the sampled areas inside and outside the pens (Soares et al, 2004). These authors suggested that the pen culture preserved the sediment properties and the water circulation through the pens helped to maintain these parameters at similar levels to those observed from the adjacent area (outside pens).…”

“…According to this model, a total of 72 pen enclosures (each with an area of 3.100m²) could be installed in the Saco da Mangueira, a 1,800 ha estuarine inlet, without significantly affecting the total nitrogen levels in the water. Overall results have demonstrated that shrimp farming in the pen enclosures, when managed under the guidelines discussed here, would be ecologically sustainable (Esteves et al, 1999;Wasielesky et al, 2001a;Poersch et al, 2003;Poersch, 2004;Soares et al, 2004). However, as most of these studies have been performed with a small number of units and at a relatively short time scale, present research efforts are now considering these possible effects on a longer period of time.…”

“…Poersch (2004) reported that this kind of culture system had no influence on the water quality in its surroundings, but the higher abundance of the polychaeta Heteromastus similis near the pen (1m) did demonstrate a small impact on the macrobenthic community. The impact (predation and/or disturbance) on the abundance of the macrobenthic invertebrate community was also recorded inside the pens, indicating different responses of the benthic species to the shrimp culture (Soares et al, 2004). Although the impact of shrimp farming in the pen enclosures is apparently limited to the fenced area and restricted to 3-4 months per year (Soares et al, 2004), results could have more relevance if the intensity of culture was increased, or if the number of pens located within the lagoon was to significantly increase.…”

“…The impact (predation and/or disturbance) on the abundance of the macrobenthic invertebrate community was also recorded inside the pens, indicating different responses of the benthic species to the shrimp culture (Soares et al, 2004). Although the impact of shrimp farming in the pen enclosures is apparently limited to the fenced area and restricted to 3-4 months per year (Soares et al, 2004), results could have more relevance if the intensity of culture was increased, or if the number of pens located within the lagoon was to significantly increase. The sediments collected from the shrimp culture pens had significantly lower levels of organic matter than those collected from surrounding areas within the lagoon due to shrimp grazing on the submerged vegetation (Esteves et al, 1999).…”

Nematodes as indicators of shrimp farm impact on an amazonian estuary (Curuçá, Pará, Brazil)

“…Some studies have been conducted to evaluate possible impacts of the organic pollution caused by shrimp farms in mangrove areas (TROTT; McKINNON et al, 2002;CONSTANZO et al, 2004;SOARES et al, 2004;RODRIGUEZ-GALLEGO et al, 2008;THOMAS et al, 2010;MOLNAR et al, 2013). In those studies planktonic and benthic organisms (mostly macrofauna) were used as indicators of environmental stress.…”