Farmed Shrimp Is High Carbon As Well - CleanTechnica

The article highlights the significant carbon footprint associated with farmed shrimp production, which accounts for 55% of global shrimp output. Predominantly farmed in countries like China, Thailand, Indonesia, and others, shrimp aquaculture involves raising shrimp in dedicated ponds, lakes, and tanks. This industry kills an estimated 440 billion shrimp annually. A major environmental concern is the destruction of mangrove forests—vital coastal ecosystems that act as carbon sinks, protect wildlife, and buffer storm impacts. Between 1980 and 2012, about 20% of the world’s mangroves were cleared for shrimp farming, releasing large amounts of stored carbon and destabilizing coastal zones. In addition to mangrove loss, shrimp farming requires energy-intensive maintenance of water quality and feed production, contributing further to carbon emissions. The global distribution of farmed shrimp, with around 90% of U.S. shrimp imports coming from overseas, adds substantial carbon emissions due to long-distance shipping by cargo vessels, which also