Shrimp farmers perceptions on factors affecting shrimp productivity in integrated mangrove-shrimp systems in Ca Mau, Vietnam

Farming Practices and Environmental Quality of Integrated Mangrove-Shrimp Farming Systems in Tra Vinh Province, Vietnam

“…Therefore, mangrove coverage is one of the factors considered for improving shrimp productivity. Other studies, for example, Trang et al . (2022), showed that yield was insignificant between ages of IMSF systems (2–4, 5–7, 9–12, and >12 years), but water management in the IMSF systems could be one of the critical factors affecting shrimp yields.…”

“…It was reported that mangrove forest coverage between 30% and 50% offered better shrimp yields (Binh, Phillips, and Demaine, 1997; Bosama et al ., 2016), while updated studies exhibited that 60–70% of mangrove forest coverage was suggested for the optimization of shrimp yields (Tran et al ., 2021; Trang et al ., 2022; Truong and Do, 2018). In the present study, the achieved yields of shrimp (98.80 kg ha –1 y –1 ) and crab (30.26 kg ha –1 y –1 ) were much lower than those of the previous studies reported in the IMSF systems of the VMD, from 45.86% to 75.38% and 22.81% to 60.65% (shrimp, 181–398 kg ha –1 y –1 ; crab, 39.20–76.90 kg ha –1 y –1 ), respectively (Trang et al ., 2022; Viet and Hai, 2016). The disparity was induced by numerous factors, such as mangrove forest ages and coverage, seeds, environmental backgrounds, technical configurations, and site-specific management of the IMSF systems.…”

“…Mangrove forests are widely distributed in tropical and subtropical tidal areas (Eddy et al ., 2017; Nguyen et al ., 2021) and have a vital function in providing important habitat, food, and nursing grounds for numerous species (Nanjo et al ., 2014; Trang et al ., 2022). Mangrove forests not only deliver greenhouse gas emission mitigation and natural disaster prevention (Alam et al ., 2022; Chatting et al ., 2022) but also offer ecosystem services and livelihoods for the majority of local communities in the coastal area (Aye et al ., 2019).…”

“…The mangrove forests are distributed in seven coastal provinces of the VMD, such as Ca Mau (58,285 ha), Bac Lieu (4142 ha), Soc Trang (2943 ha), Tra Vinh (8582 ha), Ben Tre (7153 ha), Kien Giang (322 ha), and Long An (400 ha). The current mangrove forest administrative policies are generally conducted via a long-term lease to local farmers to ensure the mangrove forest coverage ratio of 70% and the remainder of 30% used for domestic purposes (Ha et al ., 2013; Trang et al ., 2022; Truong and Do, 2018). This policy could offer positive ascertainment in sharing cobenefit and comanagement between local government and communities.…”

“…Understanding the farming practices and environmental background could lead to improved management, minimizing environmental influences, and perfecting mangrove forest ecosystem conservation. Several studies were conducted to investigate mangrove forest structures, farming practices, and environmental conditions in the several provinces of VMD (Baumgartner, Kell, and Nguyen, 2016; Cong and Khanh, 2022; Ha et al ., 2012; Lai et al ., 2022; Nguyen et al ., 2018; Tran et al ., 2021; Trang et al ., 2022). However, technical practices and environmental characteristics in the Long Khanh Mangrove Forest Reserve Area have received little attention.…”