When considering the global impact of farmed aquatic animals, whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei), stand out representing 7.2 percent of global farmed aquatic animal volumes. This makes the Aquasend Beacon® an ideal tool for analyzing the dissolved oxygen and temperature levels present in areas where whiteleg shrimp are farmed.

Global Production on the Rise

In 2023, more than 8 million tons of farmed shrimp were produced, with 80 percent being whiteleg shrimp. Ecuador, China, India, Vietnam and Indonesia were the top five producers of farmed shrimp, accounting for about 74% of global production. The giant tiger prawn (Penaeus monodon), which once dominated the farmed shrimp industry, made up just 9 percent of global production. Although giant tiger prawns are considered superior in flavor and appearance, whiteleg shrimp’s ability to thrive in higher densities has made it the dominant species worldwide, especially in the U.S. food market.

Sustainable Shrimp Solutions

Dissolved oxygen is a key indicator of water quality in aquaculture. The data provided by the Aquasend Beacon® can provide insight that allows producers to consider farming methods that are responsive to environmental conditions and considerate of sustainability efforts. Since these farms are usually located in non-tidal areas, the ponds can be completely drained and dried before each stocking.

For shrimp production specifically, dissolved oxygen levels can indicate the growth, performance and survival rate of shrimp. A study conducted by researchers at Walailak University found that environments that were supersaturated with DO enhanced shrimp growth, molting, feed conversion and survival rate. This process allows producers to make changes between stockings that will better serve the environment based on the amount of dissolved oxygen and temperature present.

Mangrove destruction in particular occurs largely because of low oxygen levels. While aeration can help, knowing when and how much to aerate is something the Beacon® data will indicate.

The Beacon® collects key data points for temperature, oxygen levels and more to manage a farm’s water quality in real time. The solution connects the Beacon’s® data to a personalized portal that is viewable on desktop or mobile devices. Settings can be customized to meet your farm’s unique needs, including alarms. Farmers can monitor all ponds from the portal with easy-to-read reporting and instant alerts.