Effect of Mangrove Cover on Shrimp Yield in Integrated Mangrove-Shrimp Farming

In recent decades, mangroves have been seriously devastated by shrimp farming development in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta. As a result, integrated mangrove-shrimp farming has emerged as a potential solution to culture shrimps and protect mangroves. The present study aims to understand whether mangrove-to-pond cover ratios influence shrimp yields in an integrated mangrove-shrimp farming system. Five integrated mangrove-shrimp ponds in the Tam Giang Commune, Nam Can District, Ca Mau Province (Southern Vietnam) were chosen for this study. The study estimated that the mangrove-to-pond cover ratios ranged from 42.00 % to 72.50 %. The total shrimp yield per year (kg.ha-1 yr-1 ) was generally high, ranging from 76.62 to 249.09 (including 37.93 to 108.64 for the black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon Fabricius, 1798), and 38.69 to 140.45 for other shrimps, namely Penaeus indicus Milne Edwards, 1837, Penaeus merguiensis de Man, 1888, Metapenaeus ensis (De Haan, 1844), and Metapenaeus lysianassa (de Man, 1888)). Moreover, a strong positive correlation between the mangrove-to-pond cover ratios and the shrimp yields were observed (r > 0.71, P < 0.05). In conclusion the mangrove-to-pond cover ratios have a direct impact on the total shrimp yield. The mangrove-to-pond cover ratios should be 50 % to enhance shrimp yields in this system.