shrimp aquaculture: an insight in environmental impacts

During the recent decades, aquaculture such as shrimp farming has been one of the fastest growing food-production industry in the modern world to meet the rising demand for seafood products. the shrimp aquaculture in iran has been moderately, but continually developed, and consequently has raised environmental concern (mainly due to the release of organic matters and nutrients) about the conversion of important ecosystems including coastal waters. therefore, this study provides an overview of shrimp aquaculture from the perspectives of environmental impacts. one of the aims of the sustainable development is reducing or eliminating the environmental externalities. hence, ensuring the sustainability, balancing the risks to environment and aquatic ecosystems along with consumer health are the major issues that must be considered for future shrimp aquaculture in iran. it is recommended that regular and planed monitoring of the effluent discharge and sediment removal of shrimp farms in iran should be undertaken comprehensively to evaluate their environmental impacts.