SUMMARY
EcoCamaronera Bahía and the GreenAqua Team have created a new model of sustainable shrimp production based on stewardship of nature, integration, education, and community participation. The initiative began with the development of an organic system of shrimp production. What was once an aquatic desert, has been transformed into a productive, biologically diverse wildlife reserve. This multi-faceted project has had a huge influence, not only on the local population of Bahía de Caráquez and it’s development as an ecocity, but on global shrimp production as well.

BACKGROUND
A satellite photo taken 30 years ago clearly shows a huge extension (4000 ha) of primary mangrove forest. The blanket of forest hugs the shore and is divided only by the channels and the main river which wind their way through the mangroves into the bay and then out to sea. The mangroves are extraordinary in that they only survive in this transition zone where salt and fresh water meet.
The mangrove estuarine ecosystem is the richest and most productive on the planet. It is sustained by the rhythm of the tides and forms an important nursery for many marine species. The mangrove tree is essential to this ecosystem, as it’s leaves form the base of the food chain… the base of life in this unique habitat.

Shrimp pond, the vegetation in the pond helps the natural feeding process.

This immense area was a spectacular living organism.

The first shrimp farms were built 30 years ago, and, shortly thereafter, in 1977, a shrimp boom ensued. Initial development was in the salt flats surrounding the estuary. When this became insufficient for the increased shrimp demand, the mangrove forest began to be cleared. Deforestation continued at an unprecedented pace until only 5% was left. In a period of less than 30 years, the magnificent estuary had been converted into an aquatic desert with thousands of hectares of ponds void of all vegetation. The largest remnant of untouched mangrove forest in the entire estuary is Huarapiquí (123 ha) adjacent to the organic shrimp farm.

The first initiatives in shrimp production were very natural; shrimp larva entered the ponds with the tides, and after three months they were harvested. It was so successful that soon larva were being produced on a large scale in laboratories and densities were increased. It continued to be successful, and so, densities were further increased and feed supplements based on fish meal began to be introduced in large quantities. Industrial meal operations sprung up everywhere to cater to the demand. With such high densities of shrimp and meal there was a significant decline in water quality, and disease problems began. Antibiotics were introduced in large quantities to combat the situation. Later, antibiotics were not used only as a cure, but were added to the food as a supplement. Events escalated to a point that the ecosystem could not withstand it.

In 1999 the white spot virus syndrome (WSVS had existed in Ecuador for many years) became an epidemic, and over a period of months wiped out the shrimp industry. Owners further contaminated the water and soil by applying strong chemicals in an attempt to eradicate the virus. This proved unsuccessful and many shrimp farms have since been abandoned, the soils destroyed and contaminated, their owners no longer able to produce shrimp.

The mangrove forest has been the foundation of the culture of the local communities who have coexisted with this resource for thousands of years. Their livelihood was one of gathering shell fish, crabs and fishing. This was their cultural inheritance.
In a period of 30 years this common resource was divided up by way of concessions and became the property of approximately forty families. Many members of the community were employed on the shrimp farms in caring for the ponds, managing the pump stations, harvesting the ponds, and guarding them at night.
Those without work became shrimp thieves, stealing shrimp from the farms at night and risking their lives in the process.
The tragedy is that now their traditional resource no longer exists; they have lost their cultural heritage, and there is little employment on the shrimp farms because of the white spot virus. The conditions in the villages are marginal, and malaria and other diseases are rife.

Shrimp in ice after the harvest

OPPORTUNITY
Ecuador was once famous for being the largest producer of shrimp in the world, later the tables turned and it’s fame was tainted by the social and environmental injustice of the industry, leading to protest and boycotts on Ecuadorian shrimp in Europe. On the entire Ecuadorian coast the Caráquez Estuary has been most severely affected by the shrimp industry.

There was an urgent need for change in this barbaric production system. The Project

“From an aquatic desert to a biodiverse wildlife reserve…that also produces shrimp”
Camaronera Bahía was one of the first shrimp farms created in the area. It was built on one of the largest areas of salt flats and a small area of mangrove forest. Three hundred and sixty hectares is divided into twenty-seven ponds and several large water-ways, all of which are connected to natural estuarine channels. The ponds vary in shape and size according to the lay of the land.

During the mid to late 90´s it was obvious to the owner of Camaronera Bahía that the production system was not sustainable. Nicola Mears and Dario Proaño, owners of Rio Muchacho Organic Farm and prominent environmentalists, became involved to assist in creating a more sustainable system. Work began to plant trees and restore the ecosystem. Mangroves were planted on the lower part of all the dykes and in the center of many of the ponds. Vegetation was also allowed to revert to a natural state inside the shrimp ponds, thus creating a protected wetland environment, perfect for the return and development of previous wildlife diversity.

Soon after the El Niño phenomenon of 1997-98, work began to convert the shrimp farm to a completely organic system. After an exhaustive search for information, it was apparent that there simply was none, and that this was in fact the first experience in organic shrimp production. Principles of organic agriculture (used in Río Muchacho Organic Farm) were adapted to aquaculture and utilized. A multi-productive system was created, with the upper parts of the dykes planted in leguminous trees, aloe vera, fruit and almond trees.

Experiments were carried out to develop an organic feeding regime. This regime is mainly based on primary production. The organic feed is produced on the shrimp farm itself, and in Encarnación Organic Farm developed solely for providing organic crops for this purpose.
One of the largest obstacles in developing the organic production system for shrimp was finding sufficient organic ingredients for the feed, in particular the protein content which required a higher percentage of vegetable protein as apposed to fish protein which is most commonly used.

The solution was found by planting protein producing trees on the dykes. These species are all leguminous, some native and one exotic species. They are able to withstand brackish water and dry harsh conditions. When harvested, the pods are ground and then incorporated into the shrimp feed. These species are Algarrobo, and Leucaena.

The dykes then, have vertical production zones. The lower part has different mangrove species, grasses, and aquatic plants, and the upper part has the leguminous trees, aloe vera (also for shrimp food), almonds, and fruit trees. The upper level also hosts a wide variety of wild plants which flower profusely during the dry season creating blankets of red, purple, and white flowers, which provide nectar for the bees that produce organic honey.

Inside some of the ponds are mangroves and a wide variety of aquatic plants, grasses, and reeds, which grow freely, covering the bottom of the ponds, thus creating a diverse wetland environment. The presence of these plants provides substrate for the many species of algae, which grow on the stalks and provide natural feeding areas for the shrimp.

This combination of native and exotic trees form a very important biodiverse and productive part of the farm.

After several years of working in accord with nature in developing the farm, it was inspected by IMO (Swiss) and certified by Naturland e.V. (German) certification organization. Camaronera Bahía became EcoCamaronera Bahía (ECB)…the first organic shrimp farm in the world.

ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS
The solution was born from the problem.

ECB was one of the first shrimp farms in the area, built on the salt flats and a small mangrove area, it is now a pioneer in this new approach to aquaculture that links conservation and production for a sustainable future. It is an ethical alternative, socially and environmentally correct, and was recognized as such by the Minister of the Environment at the time.

As a farm policy, and, to a lesser degree, the organic standards, water effluent analysis are carried out on a weekly basis. It is of interest to note that the water quality is better upon leaving the pond than when it enters.
The ponds act as nurseries for a multitude of species and in each harvest undersized fish are carefully returned to the canals to grow to full size. In this sense the farm is helping stock the estuary. Shrimp densities are low and this ensures good effluent quality. Excessive use of high protein feed is one of the most contaminating factors in shrimp farming. In ECB the feed supplements are minimal and are based on low protein ingredients from a predominantly vegetable source. The shrimp culture replicates the dynamics of a natural system as closely as possible. In terms of production it is clearly better to use a sustainable organic system, of which good survival and harvest rates are evidence.
Additionally, at a time when bird life was not welcome anywhere, the shrimp farm provided a refuge where these species could proliferate; the farm has a tremendously positive impact on the estuary in a broad and complex way.

Huarapiquí (mangrove area) was recognized as the last lung of the estuary and considered an integral part of the production area. Because of this it was under surveillance by the entire local community (Verdum) as well as the farm workers, to see what benefits and outcome would be encountered.
Deforestation attempts were reported and halted by the owners of EcoCamaronera Bahía.

Waste Management within the operation is important. In the case of paper, it is reused and then separated for a paper recycling group which was established to provide alternative employment for families affected by the removal of the mangrove forest (Ecopaper project ).
Inorganic waste is recycled where ever possible (metals and oil). Unfortunately, there is nowhere to recycle plastics, these are reused as many times as possible and then taken to the waste disposal area.

SOCIAL ASPECTS
The organic system has provided a source of employment for the community that did not exist before; members of the community came to harvest the grain off the leguminous trees. The farm staff have been an integral part of the transition to an organic process. They received in depth training and are now competent in explaining the process and how it differs from the previous system. The staff further enhance the shrimp farm by creating flower gardens in the area they are working in (they are responsible for certain sectors). Incentive programs have been established for staff members who produce and record the best shrimp harvests.
In addition, the heritage of the local communities is being reestablished as they once again have access to Huarapiquí for traditional fishing and collection of shellfish and crabs.

FAUNA
From the beginning of the project, the intent of the policy has been to protect all wild life, especially the birds, many of which are migratory. There was great need for a wildlife refuge in the area, as birds are usually not welcome in shrimp farms. They are thought to consume large quantities of shrimp and have been shot at incessantly for the last 30 years.

Compatibility between bird life and shrimp production was a concern initially. In order to understand and to discover the dynamics and relationships in this productive environment, a well-known ornithologist helped list the birds and analyze the relationships within the system. More than 70 species were recorded initially (not including many migratory species). Seventy percent of these species prefer a fish diet as opposed to shrimp. Therefore, the presence of these aviary species is not merely benign, but now considered very important in controlling the fish population, which compete with shrimp for food. In addition to this, the guano (excrement) provides an excellent fertilizer for the primary production in the ponds.

The birds also have an important role in removing any dead shrimp, they are in fact indicators of the health of a pond.

The bird life in ECB has converted the area into a very important bird watching and tourist destination on the coast of Ecuador.

Within the ponds there are many species of fish, one of which is endemic and has extraordinary characteristics. Chame (Dormitatus Latiforms) is able to survive for 72 hours out of water and is able to be exported live to the United States. Other species include Tilapia (introduced to the area 20 years ago), Minnows, Saint Peter´s Fish, Yellow Perch, Sea Bass, Catfish, Lisa (Chanus chanus), Snook, Crayfish, Blue and Red Violinist Crabs, Digger and Mud Crabs, and a wealth of micro and macro organisms.

Along the dykes, as well as in the mangrove forest, there are opossum, rabbits, snakes, iguanas, and owls.

STATUS
ECB was the first initiative in Ecuador to create a more sustainable shrimp industry and was certainly the first organic shrimp farm in the world. The value of this model is enormous as an educational tool. The principles followed are not just useful for shrimp farmers, they are universal principles which can be applied in any kind of farming or land use. Many groups of Ecuadorian and foreign students, scientists etc. visit the farm to learn new concepts and, more than anything, a new philosophy of human to nature relationship.

The protection of the Huarapiquí mangrove area (adjacent to the shrimp farm) is also unique in that it was saved by the same industry that once threatened it. As previously mentioned, it is the only remnant of primary mangrove forest out of the original 4000 ha that once existed. It is very important ecologically as the remaining habitat for fauna of the estuary and as a source of seed for regeneration; it is possible that some of the abandoned shrimp farms will revert to mangrove forest.
This is the largest intact nursery area for marine species that stock the estuary and provide food to the local fishermen and their families.

Alternatives to Conventional Products Used in Shrimp Farming
A series of natural products were created and used on the farm as alternatives to conventional products. These were accepted by the certifying organization (see info regarding Green Aqua).

Due to the interest in this process by other farmers and organizations Green Aqua Ltd. was created to work in technology transfer.
Two other farms requested assistance in changing their farming methods. They have both been inspected and certified. The two farms are near ECB, and together they form a large block of farms. This will make an even more important contribution to the restoration of the area.

In the years 2002-2003 the Ecuadorian shrimp industry further declined with very low world prices. EcoCamaronera Bahía is not exempt from these influences, however, it continues to produce well and sell organic shrimp.

TEAM
Nicola Mears- Technical assistance in organic and ecological aspects , certification etc.
Cesar Ruperti-Owner and Marine Biologist
Erika Sosa- Public relations, publications, information etc
Dario Proaño- Mangrove reforestation and community development