Rehabilitation for Abandoned Shrimp Farms : Proposal for a Sustainable Seafood Complex
Semi-intensive and Intensive Shrimp farming has played a major role in boosting Surat Thani's economy for the past decade. Such rapid boost is, however, a double-edged sword. The overuse and abusive use of chemical agents as unhealthy construction of shrimp ponds led to great environmental harm and mangrove deforestation. Reclining mangrove wetlands eventually backfired on the industry as shrimp farming essentially relies on the beneficial nature of coastal environments. The collapse of shrimp farming led to further sustainable development which requires updated technologies and well educated farmers, things small-scale local farmers which make up over 80% of the industry lack. With unsustainable shrimp farming going on, most sites are seen to be abandoned after use of only 3-5 years before the soil degradation and crop failures force farmers to quit leaving many in debt. The abandoned shrimp farms not only are useless but is continually harmful to the coastal environment (such as wild aquaculture nursery) as it is plagued with activated Acid sulfate soil and hyper-acidic chemical residues from antibiotics and shrimp effluent .
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After analyzing the current condition the proposal is split in to two phases 1: Neutralizing the land and phase : 2 is to re inhabit the land. Healing the land can be done by reconnecting the shrimp ponds back into the tidal exchange system. Naturally, tide exchanges bring in natural catalysts that help neutralize coastal acidic soil. When shrimp ponds disconnect the wetlands from the natural tidal exchange, problem arises. Water gates can be installed to regulate the entrance of fresh water and salt water where it can be either pass through (passive) or locked in (active) for neutralization. (active neutralization can be done with basic agents such as agricultural lime)
After analyzing the current condition the proposal is split in to two phases 1: Neutralizing the land and phase : 2 is to re inhabit the land. Healing the land can be done by reconnecting the shrimp ponds back into the tidal exchange system. Naturally, tide exchanges bring in natural catalysts that help neutralize coastal acidic soil. When shrimp ponds disconnect the wetlands from the natural tidal exchange, problem arises. Water gates can be installed to regulate the entrance of fresh water and salt water where it can be either pass through (passive) or locked in (active) for neutralization. (active neutralization can be done with basic agents such as agricultural lime)
Link for Full Resolution PDF
Phase 2 of the project deals with opportunistic abandoned shrimp ponds that has been neutralized of acidic soil by using existing water gates as "nodes" to create extensive connective infrastructure. We take a step back into why all the shrimp farming is happening in the first place,
"Shrimp is delicious." is the phrase that summarize the goal of this land of opportunity. The goal of this transformation is to provide visitors with a unique experience of seafood. To educate and inform them that the natures best can only be extracted through natural means. The programs would consists of mangrove filters, nurseries, silvo aquaculture, water treatment plants, and home stays that eventually create a self sustaining complex that not only is ecologically sustaining but also economically sustaining. The goal is to maximize the most out of both ecology and economy principles
Phase 2 of the project deals with opportunistic abandoned shrimp ponds that has been neutralized of acidic soil by using existing water gates as "nodes" to create extensive connective infrastructure. We take a step back into why all the shrimp farming is happening in the first place,
"Shrimp is delicious." is the phrase that summarize the goal of this land of opportunity. The goal of this transformation is to provide visitors with a unique experience of seafood. To educate and inform them that the natures best can only be extracted through natural means. The programs would consists of mangrove filters, nurseries, silvo aquaculture, water treatment plants, and home stays that eventually create a self sustaining complex that not only is ecologically sustaining but also economically sustaining. The goal is to maximize the most out of both ecology and economy principles
