Drivers of carbon footprint variability in shrimp aquaculture: insights from aquamimicry shrimp farming

Aquaculture continues to expand globally, particularly in Asia, with production reaching 130.9 million tons, valued at US$ 312.8 billion in 2022. The adoption of sustainable practices, such as Aquamimicry Shrimp Farming (ASF), is crucial for mitigating environmental impacts while enhancing food security. Aquamimicry applies biomimicry principles to replicate natural aquatic ecosystems within closed farming environments, thereby promoting effective waste management and optimizing shrimp production. This study assessed the carbon footprint (CF) of ASF operations in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, Thailand, using a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) framework combined with statistical techniques, including descriptive statistics, multivariate analysis, and stepwise regression, to evaluate different production levels. Data were collected from 40 shrimp farms practicing ASF under Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) certification scheme. Farms were classified into three groups based on yield: Group H (high production, over 10 tons/ha), Group M (medium production, 5–10 tons/ha), and Group L (low production, ≤ 5 tons/ha), to investigate the association between farming practices and carbon emissions. Results indicated that improved management practices were positively associated with increased productivity and lower carbon footprints, with Group H exhibiting the most favourable sustainability indicators. Electricity consumption emerged as the primary contributor to total carbon emissions (51.35%), while the rearing phase accounted for the majority of emissions (88.05%). A negative correlation was observed between carbon footprint and shrimp survival rates (r = -0.357), underscoring the importance of efficient farming strategies. Stepwise regression identified average harvest size and stocking density as significant factors influencing production outcomes. Well-managed farms in Group H achieved better feed conversion ratios, higher survival rates, and lower emissions per unit of shrimp produced. In conclusion, the findings highlight that effective management within Aquamimicry systems enhances both production efficiency and environmental sustainability, reinforcing the potential of ASF as a promising strategy for sustainable shrimp farming.