Balancing aquatic ecosystems for sustainable shrimp farming – Aquafeed.com

Report on Microbial Harmony for Sustainable Aquaculture and Advancement of SDGs

Introduction: Research Presented at FARM 2025

A presentation by Dr. Yuni Puji Hastuti of IPB University at the FARM 2025 conference in Jakarta detailed the critical role of microbial management in advancing sustainable shrimp aquaculture. The research underscores that fostering microbial harmony within pond ecosystems is fundamental to achieving stable production, enhancing food security, and aligning with key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those concerning life below water, responsible production, and economic growth.

The Pond Ecosystem and its Contribution to SDG 14 (Life Below Water)

Shrimp ponds are complex ecosystems where the interplay between bacteria, plankton, and shrimp dictates the overall health and productivity of the farm. This delicate balance is central to sustainable aquaculture.

• Ecosystem Stability: A balanced microbial community ensures stable water quality by recycling waste and nutrients, creating a resilient environment for shrimp. This approach supports the sustainable use of aquatic resources as outlined in SDG 14.
• Nutrient Cycling: Bacteria are essential for breaking down organic matter from uneaten feed and metabolic waste. This natural process mitigates the buildup of harmful substances, preventing pollution and protecting the aquatic environment.
• The Nitrogen Cycle: The management of the nitrogen cycle is paramount. Specialized bacteria convert toxic ammonia into less harmful nitrates, which are then processed by denitrifying bacteria. A functional nitrogen cycle acts as a natural filtration system, reducing the need for chemical interventions and minimizing the farm’s environmental impact.

Empirical Findings and Impact on SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)

Field studies provide concrete evidence of the benefits of balanced microbial management, demonstrating direct contributions to food security and economic stability.

1. Case Study Analysis:
   • Banyuwangi: Ponds with low microbial diversity (dominated by Bacteroidetes) experienced imbalance, leading to shrimp stress and disease outbreaks, threatening production.
   • Bengkulu: Ponds with high microbial diversity and active nitrification/denitrification processes demonstrated greater resilience, stable water conditions, and higher shrimp survival rates.
2. Quantifiable Production Gains: Farms implementing balanced microbial management have reported significant improvements, directly supporting SDG 2 by increasing food supply and SDG 8 by enhancing economic viability for farmers.
   • Survival rates increased by 10% compared to conventional systems.
   • Total harvest volumes were over 7% greater.
   • Reduced incidence of disease outbreaks, leading to more predictable and stable livelihoods.

Innovation and Technology in Support of SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure)

The integration of modern technology is transforming aquaculture management, enabling data-driven decisions that foster sustainable industrial practices.

• Data-Driven Management: Daily monitoring of ammonia, nitrites, and plankton diversity allows for proactive adjustments, preventing crises before they escalate.
• Digital Platforms: Cloud-based systems are being utilized to collect and digitize data from shrimp ponds across Indonesia, allowing for remote monitoring and management.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI): The next phase involves integrating AI to interpret complex data sets and provide real-time recommendations, moving the industry from reactive problem-solving to predictive, optimized management.

Conclusion: A Paradigm Shift Towards Responsible Production (SDG 12)

The research advocates for a fundamental shift in the role of the shrimp farmer from a mere producer to a steward of a complex ecosystem. This new paradigm is built on ecological understanding and digital innovation.

Key Recommendations for Sustainable Practice:

1. Prioritize Microbial Diversity: Avoid practices that lead to the dominance of a single microbial group. A diverse community is a resilient community.
2. Utilize Stable Microbial Products: Solid-form microbial products are recommended over unstable liquid variants for more consistent and effective results.
3. Embrace Data and Technology: Farmers and technicians must develop the capacity to interpret water quality data and use digital tools to inform management decisions.
4. Foster Knowledge Sharing: Continuous learning and observation of one’s own pond ecosystem are invaluable tools that complement formal research and technology.

By collaborating with nature and leveraging technology, the aquaculture industry can achieve a future that is not only productive but also environmentally sustainable and economically resilient, thereby making a significant contribution to the global Sustainable Development Goals.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger

  The article focuses on sustainable aquaculture and improving shrimp farming yields. By increasing harvests and survival rates, these methods contribute to food security and the production of a vital protein source, directly aligning with the goal of ending hunger and promoting sustainable agriculture.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  The research and methods discussed aim to make shrimp farming more stable and profitable. The article states that improvements “represent stronger livelihoods for farmers and greater resilience for the aquaculture industry,” which supports sustained and inclusive economic growth.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

  The article highlights the integration of scientific research, technology, and digital innovation in the aquaculture industry. The use of “cloud-based systems” and the future integration of “artificial intelligence” to interpret data and provide recommendations points directly to building resilient infrastructure and fostering innovation.

• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

  The core theme of the article is sustainable production. By managing microbial balance, the methods described promote the efficient use of resources (like feed), reduce waste (uneaten feed and metabolic waste), and recycle nutrients within the pond ecosystem, which are key components of sustainable production patterns.

• SDG 14: Life Below Water

  The article is centered on conserving and sustainably using aquatic resources. It discusses managing pond ecosystems to prevent the buildup of toxic substances like ammonia, which can harm aquatic life. By maintaining water quality and microbial balance, these practices help protect the immediate aquatic environment and prevent pollution from land-based activities (aquaculture ponds) that could affect larger marine ecosystems.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding and other disasters and that progressively improve land and soil quality.

  The article’s focus on creating “resilient” ponds with “stable water conditions” that can withstand “environmental stress” directly addresses this target. The methods described increase productivity, as evidenced by higher survival rates and harvests, while maintaining the pond’s ecosystem.

• Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation.

  The article details how technological upgrading through “cloud-based systems” and “artificial intelligence” can enhance decision-making and productivity in shrimp farming, leading to “total harvests are more than 7% greater.”

• Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries… encouraging innovation.

  Dr. Yuni’s research and its application in the field, combined with the development of digital tools for monitoring, exemplifies the enhancement of scientific research and technological capabilities within the aquaculture sector.

• Target 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.

  The article describes how managing the nitrogen cycle allows for the natural recycling of nutrients from “uneaten feed and metabolic waste,” turning potential pollutants into beneficial compounds. This is a clear example of sustainable management and efficient resource use within the pond ecosystem.

• Target 14.1: By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution.

  By managing the nitrogen cycle and preventing high levels of ammonia and nitrites, the described practices reduce nutrient pollution within the pond, which is a land-based activity that can impact adjacent coastal and marine environments.

• Target 14.2: By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts.

  The article redefines farmers as “stewards of ecosystems.” The entire approach is based on managing the pond, a man-made coastal ecosystem, to ensure its health and stability, thereby avoiding the adverse impacts of disease and collapse.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Shrimp Survival and Harvest Rates: The article explicitly states that farms applying these methods have “reported survival rates 10% higher than conventional systems” and “total harvests are more than 7% greater.” These are direct quantitative indicators of increased productivity and resilience (Target 2.4).
• Water Quality Parameters: The text mentions the daily monitoring of “ammonia levels” and “nitrite concentrations.” These are specific chemical indicators used to measure water quality and the effectiveness of nutrient pollution management (Targets 12.2 and 14.1).
• Ecosystem Health Metrics: The article emphasizes monitoring “microbial diversity” and “plankton diversity” as crucial indicators of a healthy, balanced, and resilient pond ecosystem. “Fewer disease outbreaks” is another key outcome indicator of ecosystem stability (Target 14.2).
• Adoption of Technology: The use of “cloud-based systems” for remote monitoring and the future integration of “artificial intelligence” serve as indicators for technological upgrading and innovation within the industry (Targets 8.2 and 9.5).

4. Summary of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: aquafeed.com