Development of shrimp farming in the coastal zone of southern Sinaloa (Mexico): operating characteristics, environmental issues, and perspectives

Shrimp farming development in southern Sinaloa and its effects on coastal environments were analyzed by municipalities and by region. The study was made on 24 farms that represent 89% of the total farms in the region. This activity grew from 100 to 1820 ha after 14 yr, but there were no serious alterations of the landscape as a consequence of the farm construction, with the exception of those that had invaded lagoon systems. Most of the farms were built on saline, low-productive soils. However, some natural processes in the estuarine systems such as silting and hydrodynamics could have been modified because of the shrimp farm infrastructure (channels, dredging). The characteristics of the activity in the region are similar to those at state and national levels. Most operations are semiintensive systems with white, blue, and brown shrimp as the cultured species. The regional shrimp farms have not developed as much as the ones in other parts of the state, but growth is increasing gradually. We suggest that the development of this activity must be regulated, taking into account characteristics of the estuarine systems, and must incorporate a regional view, including some other interacting activities such as agriculture and fishing, to evaluate its growth potential.