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Purpose: Mekong Delta's shrimp farming contributes to socio-economic development but tends to reduce the mangrove area. On the one hand, NGOs advocate balancing ecology and economy, while on the other hand, the Vietnamese government supports intensifying shrimp production. The latter strategy increases shrimp diseases and marginalises smallholders. To influence the opinions, knowledge and behaviour of shrimp farmers, we developed and tested a serious board game. Approach: Through several iterations, we designed a realistic board game mimicking local shrimp farming. Then, after conducting three sessions of gameplay with farmers in three sites, we assessed how this gameplay influenced players. We used a semi-experimental set-up by collecting data on the day of the gameplay, and on two further time-points. Findings: After the gameplays, farmers reported to have learned about the risks of monoculture-intensive-shrimp system and the advantages of hybrid systems. Likert ratings showed that players adopted innovations faster and, in case of shrimp diseases, consulted commercial service-providers less, but with other farmers more. They confirmed to have learned that the best strategy for them would be to adopt hybrid systems, i.e. intensify part of the area of mixed-mangrove or improved-extensive shrimp farms. Theoretical implications: Realistic board games can create opportunities for social learning and training of groups which are not always easy to reach. Practical implications: Board games can support transfer of knowledge and skills to farmers, and can develop their critical thinking. Creation: The findings that board games are effective in the context of a top-down extension systems offer value opportunities.

Background Bullying perpetration might be an alternative way of hierarchy formation among adolescents. It can potentially suppress the socioeconomic inequalities in health or might compensate for the negative health influences of low socioeconomic status (SES), rewarding this unwanted behavior. Methods A nationally representative sample of 3679 adolescents aged 11-15 years participated in the Health Behavior in School-aged Children 2013/14 survey in Armenia. Complex samples multiple logistic regression were used to estimate the associations between two SES measures (family socioeconomic position [SEP], material well-being) and three health outcomes (perceived health status, psychosocial well-being, psychosomatic symptoms). Results Bullying perpetration was not associated with less than good health or low psychosocial well-being (P > 0.05) but increased the odds of reporting high psychosomatic symptoms (P < 0.05). Perpetration did not change the SES-health gradient substantially. However, in stratified analyses, socioeconomic inequalities in health were consistently weaker among perpetrators. The largest observed difference was in the relationship between low family (SEP) and less than good health (OR = 3.60, 95% CI = 2.77-4.67 vs. OR = 1.80, 95% CI = 1.06 - 3.04), whereas the smallest difference was in the relationship between low family SEP and high psychosomatic symptoms (OR = 1.27, 95% CI = 1.03-1.56 vs. OR = 1.04, 95% CI = 0.61-1.77). Conclusions Our findings suggest that bullying perpetration, as an alternative hierarchy, may be looked at as a compensatory but vicious strategy in the face of the negative health influences of low SES in Armenian adolescents. For high-SES adolescents, on the other hand, social, emotional, or psychological problems might contribute to bullying perpetration. Key messages Less vicious alternatives to bullying perpetration should be encouraged, especially for Armenian adolescents from low-SES families. Targeted health interventions might be necessary for bulling perpetrators from high-SES families.

We present a case in which a depot triamcinolone acetonide (Kenacort) was unintentionally injected intra-arterially into the ulnar artery, resulting in microembolic capillary occlusion in the digits supplied by the artery. Ischemic changes and subungual petechial hemorrhages were seen in the ulnar three digits. Angiography confirmed microembolic occlusion. The patient was treated with systemic vasodilative agents and a brachial plexus blockade. Tissue necrosis did not develop, however, the patient suffered lasting cold intolerance in the affected digits. Steroid suspension particles injected to treat CTS or other indications, can cause capillary occlusion and thereby microembolic tissue ischemia if injected intra-arterially. Choosing the right injection site and aspirating prior to injection is a simple though effective and indispensable measure to help prevent intra-arterial injection of steroid suspensions.

The sustainability of prawn farming in brackish water ponds is controversial because of low yields and a history of mangrove clearing. Low yields are due largely to insufficient preparation of pond bottoms. Mangrove trees are often planted on pond bunds as window dressing. This study examines the effect of three types of liquid compost from vegetable, fruit, and both vegetable and fruit in tanks to which whole or choppedAvicennia marinaleaves have been added to mimic local pond conditions. In a split-plot design, 28 square tanks were each stocked with one hundred 15-day-old post-larvae tiger prawns (Penaeus monodon). Four tanks were used as controls and 24 were assigned to the treatments, 12 with whole and 12 with chopped leaves. Of the treatment tanks, 4 received liquid compost from vegetable, 4 received fruit, and 4 received mixed vegetable and fruit. Shrimp were weighed at the start, halfway point, and the end of the 50-day trial, and fed at 5% of the estimated total weight; survival was counted at the end. The survival rates of treatments and controls (65–76%) were not significantly different. Shrimp in water with vegetable compost grew significantly faster (2.7% day−1) than in both treatments with fruit (2.5% day−1), while all treatments were associated with significantly faster growth than were the controls (2.0% day−1). The lower growth rate of shrimp fed fruit compost may have been due to dinoflagellates, which are known to negatively affect shrimp. Shrimp in tanks with chopped mangrove leaves grew slightly better than shrimp in tanks with whole mangrove leaves.

Rejeki S, Middeljans M, Widowati LL, Ariyati RW, Elfitasari T, Bosma RH. 2019. The effects of decomposing mangrove leaf litter and its tannins on water quality and the growth and survival of tiger prawn (Penaeus monodon) post-larvae. Biodiversitas 20: 2750-2757. Shrimp farming in Demak, Indonesia is often practiced in silvo-aquaculture systems in which mangrove trees are planted on pond bunds. As such, mangrove leaves and its substrates may have impact on penaeid shrimp production. In this area, mangrove re-growth proceeded with Avicennia marina while planting is mostly done with Rhizophora apiculata. We compared the effects of decomposing fresh leaves of A. marina and R. apiculata on water quality and on the performance of Penaeus monodon postlarvae (PL). A hundred of PL21 (postlarvae aged 21 days with weight of 0.28 g) were stocked in each of 30 aerated tanks containing 800 liters of brackish water (salinity of 21 ppt) for 37 days. Five treatments with three replicates for each mangrove species were assigned by adding into the tanks of 0.125, 0.25, and 0.5 g L-1 of air-dried leave, 0.125 of g L-1 minced leave and 0.125 g L-1 of leachate of minced leaves. The PLs were fed 3 times daily with pellets at 10 % of initial total body weight. Water quality parameters were recorded daily. Tannin, H2S and NH3-N concentrations were measured every ten days. Prawn's body weight (BW) was measured and specific growth rate (SGR, % day-1) and survival rate (SR, %) were calculated after the end of experiment. Results were analyzed with ANOVA and Pearson's correlation. The results showed that tannin in decomposing mangrove leaf litter up to a concentration of 0.5 mg g-1 did not have a significant effect on water quality and on the growth and survival of P. monodon PL. However, increasing leaf litter concentrations showed an increase in NH3-N concentration due to organic matter degradation. The accumulation of NH3-N may have caused the slow growth of shrimp PL in A. marina treatment. Shrimp PL in leaf litter leachates treatment has a higher growth rate than those PL in regular leaf litter in relation to nutritional value. Survival and growth varied from 62 ±14 to 70 ± 8% and 3.1±2.1 to 5.5±1.2% day-1, respectively. Although decomposing mangrove leaves of A. marina and R. apiculata had no toxic effects on P. monodon PL up to a concentration of 1.25 g L-1, but causing severe mortality for shrimp in tanks without water exchange. As a conclusion, the present of mangrove leaves in brackish water ponds with insufficient water exchange can be harmful to shrimps. However, if the water exchange is good, decomposed mangrove leaves can become organic fertilizer that beneficial for the growth of natural food for the shrimps

Introduction Hardly any research exists on the relationship between substance use and sexual behaviors in patients with a substance use disorder. This study aimed to examine this relation by looking into perceived positive effects on sexual behavior, perceived negative effects and risky sexual behavior due to substance use in patient groups of users of alcohol, stimulants, sedatives and Gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB). In addition, the current study aimed to address the question whether sexual behavior (e.g. number of sexual partners, sexual activity) differs between these patient groups. Method A total of 180 patients with a substance use disorder (i.e. alcohol, amphetamine, cannabis, cocaine, GHB and opiates) participated. A self-report questionnaire was administered with questions on substance use, sexual behaviors (e.g. sexual activity, masturbation, use of pornography) and statements about the perceived changes in sexual functioning and behavior under influence of the primary substance of abuse. Results All four groups reported changes in sexual thoughts, feelings and behavior due to the use of their primary substance. More than half of the patients reported enhancements in sexual domains (i.e. sexual pleasure, sexual arousal, sexual behavior), but also decrements or risky behaviors and about a quarter stated that their sexual thoughts, feelings and behaviors were often associated with the use of their primary substance of abuse. Patients with a GHB use disorder reported the strongest relation between drug use and sexual behavior. Users of GHB not only reported more enhancement in several sexual domains, but also less decline in sexual domains compared to the other patient groups and more risky behavior or more sexual activity than some of the other groups of patients. Conclusions The results underline the importance of addressing the relationship between substance use and sexual behavior in treatment programs, as patients may be hesitant to stop their use of substances when they experience many positive effects in their sexual behavior. Future research directions are suggested.

The high organic waste content of river water in Demak, north coast of Java, has caused traditional small-scale pond farmers to stop stocking shrimp. This paper examines whether seaweed and mussel will improve the quality of water these farmers use. The effect of Gracilaria verucosa and Perna viridis on the water quality was assessed by measuring the removal rates (RRs) of total organic material (TOM), total ammonia nitrogen (TAN), nitrite, and nitrate. The specific growth rates (SGRs) of seaweed and mussel were also measured. Thirty-six semi-outdoor tanks containing 800 L of brackish water and 7 cm substrate were randomly assigned to four replications of four densities of G. verucosa: 50 (S50), 100 (S100), 150 (S150), and 200 (S200) g m−2, and of P. viridis: 60 (M60), 90 (M90), 120 (M120), and 150 (M150) g m−2. Weekly, the TOM, TAN, nitrite, and nitrate contents were measured, seaweed and mussel weighted; RRs and SGRs were calculated at the end of the study. The effect of densities on the RRs was significant for both seaweed and mussel. P. viridis was more effective in reducing TOM (by 38%) than G. verucosa (7%); G. verucosa achieved higher RRs for TAN, nitrite, and nitrate. At S200, TOM and TAN decreased by 7.4% and 67%, respectively. At M90, TOM and TAN, decreased by 38% and 49%, respectively. However, nitrite increased significantly at S200 and M150. The SGR of seaweed was significantly lower at S200 than that at S150, S100, and S50. The best performing densities were S100 and M90.

Traditional farmers of milkfish and shrimp use 80% of Indonesia's shrimp production area, but produce only 10% of its shrimp. A coastal protection project funded a 16-day aquaculture field school (AFS) in order to train 277 farmers in Low External Input Sustainable Aquaculture (LEISA). Its cost was 1,060 USD per farmer. In 2017 and 2018, the project monitoring database completed records of yields and practices of 125 participants and monitored finances and water quality in a 10% sample. LEISA was adopted by 85% of the 125 participants. The two annual datasets of the sample were merged and trimmed from three outliers; this was done before statistical analysis. Compared to the baseline, LEISA adopters among the 125 tripled their shrimp' yields. Within the sample, the milkfish yields of adopters and non-adopters were about identical. Sampled adopters significantly increased their gross margin by 927 USD ha−1 year−1 due to three- and fivefold yield increases for milkfish and shrimp compared to that of the baseline. The rate of return was 1.3 for the 277 participants and 1.8 for the sample, indicating a payback time of

The purpose of this work was to assemble information with which to help identify and select mangrove species most likely to be useful and locally acceptable for use in transforming the dominant current non-mangrove shrimp culture practice in Bangladesh towards more sustainable shrimp silvo-aquaculture in the coastal regions of the country. We reviewed current mangrove use in the extensive aquaculture setting, compiled published evidence on mangrove properties and characteristics that influence their suitability for such use and assessed farmer preferences of the various species. Thirteen mangrove species (all of which are available in Bangladesh) were documented as being used in silvo-aquaculture system in the tropics. Followed by these already “established” mangrove species, Aegialitis rotundifolia, Heritiera fomes and Lumnitzera racemosa could be enlisted as additional “optional” mangrove species to consider, while Ceriops decandra, Excocaria agallocha and Phoenix paludosa were found to be unsuitable for silvo-aquaculture. Based on their experience and indigenous knowledge on mangroves, shrimp farmers ranked (in declining order of preference) Sonneratia apetala, S. caseolaris, Avicennia officinalis, Nypa fruticans, Bruguiera sexangula, Heritiera fomes, and also, the mangrove-associate wild rice species Oryza coarctata as the most suitable species to be used for promoting silvo-aquaculture in the coastal areas of Bangladesh. Thus, the focus group interviews with the farmers not only identified which mangroves enjoy most local support for use in transforming current shrimp culture towards more sustainable shrimp silvo-aquaculture but also provided additional leads for species interesting to further investigation into their suitability for silvo-aquaculture.

In the coastal area of the Vietnamese Mekong Delta, much of the mangrove forest has been cut to make space for expansion of industry and aquaculture. Export‐oriented shrimp farming is a particularly fast‐growing business. Nonetheless, the importance of tropical mangrove forest ecosystems for coastal protection and marine biodiversity is widely recognized. The Vietnamese government, supported by non‐governmental organizations and donors, has sought to restore mangrove forest. To this end, the government has promoted mixed or integrated mangrove‐shrimp systems in which farmers maintain at least 40 per cent of their area under mangrove cover. Since 2012, mangrove reforestation, care and protection has benefited from local authority stimulus as well. Multiple studies have examined the condition of the mangrove forest in Ben Tre and other coastal provinces of the Mekong Delta. However, no research has investigated the role of social dynamics in farmers’ willingness to shift to, or maintain, integrated mangrove‐shrimp systems. Specifically, the influence of information, group dynamics and social learning on farmer decision‐making is poorly understood and, indeed, hardly investigated in Vietnam. This article reports on a study of social processes in three communes in Binh Dai District, Ben Tre Province, Vietnam. We conducted 42 semi‐structured interviews (with 34 farmers and eight local officials) and used secondary data. Our preliminary findings indicate that social dynamics in these communes were issue‐driven and played an important role in farmers’ decisions to adopt, or convert to, the integrated mangrove‐shrimp farming system. Television, radio, the internet, books, neighbours and training courses all had some influence in farmer decision‐making processes. However, our findings suggest that the accessibility, usefulness, relevance and approach of these communication methods must be improved if they are to adequately inform and support local farmers.

The neonicotinoid insecticide imidacloprid is used in Bangladesh for a variety of crop protection purposes. Imidacloprid may contaminate aquatic ecosystems via spray drift, surface runoff and ground water leaching. The present study aimed at assessing the fate and effects of imidacloprid on structural (phytoplankton, zooplankton, macroinvertebrates and periphyton) and functional (organic matter decomposition) endpoints of freshwater, sub-tropical ecosystems in Bangladesh. Imidacloprid was applied weekly to 16 freshwater microcosms (PVC tanks containing 400 L de-chlorinated tap water) at nominal concentrations of 0, 30, 300, 3000 ng/L over a period of 4 weeks. Results indicated that imidacloprid concentrations from the microcosm water column declined rapidly. Univariate and multivariate analysis showed significant effects of imidacloprid on the zooplankton and macroinvertebrate community, some individual phytoplankton taxa, and water quality variables (i.e. DO, alkalinity, ammonia and nitrate), with Cloeon sp., Diaptomus sp. and Keratella sp. being the most affected species, i.e. showing lower abundance values in all treatments compared to the control. The observed high sensitivity of Cloeon sp. and Diaptomus sp. was confirmed by the results of single species tests. No significant effects were observed on the species composition of the phytoplankton, periphyton biomass and organic matter decomposition for any of the sampling days. Our study indicates that (sub-)tropical aquatic ecosystems can be much more sensitive to imidacloprid compared to temperate ones.

The technical efficiency of randomly sampled pangasius farms in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam was estimated using data envelopment analysis, and factors affecting technical and scale efficiency were examined with bootstrap truncated regression. The mean technical efficiency score assuming variable returns to scale was 0.84. The technical efficiency of downstream farmers was higher due to lower energy costs and stocking once a year. Most of the up- and midstream farms needed to pump water and stocked at least three times in 2 yr. Regression analysis showed a positive effect on technical efficiency of the farmers' education level and having experienced climate change impact through flooding or salinity intrusion in the past. Farms affected by salinity intrusion had a lower scale efficiency as they reduce stocking frequency and rate. In general, reducing fish mortality and the cost of inputs, increasing scale of operation, and being trained, using appropriate methods, in management strategies may improve technical efficiency.

Aquaponics, producing fish and vegetables in a closed-loop water system, reduces fertilizer use and water discharge, and is therefore promoted as a sustainable venture. A recent global study found that the majority of 257 surveyed aquaponics farms made losses, but the reasons have been poorly analyzed. Based upon grey literature and a post-hoc cost-benefit analysis for an investment in an aquaponics farm in the Philippines, this paper aims to assess the factors contributing to an appropriate level of returns. In the Philippines, vegetables are relatively well-priced, but if catfish were produced, a venture producing 1250 kg fish, 6000 kg lettuce, and 300 kg tomato per year would have a Net-Benefit-Cost Ratio of below 1.3 after 20 years. This ratio should be higher when one considers the risks against which a farmer cannot and should not insure its production, as argued in the paper. Depending on the species of both fish and vegetables, the quantity of nutrients coming from the former component imposes a fish volume: vegetable area ratio ranging from 1:30 to 1:100, thus the quantity of marketable fresh vegetables determines the size of an aquaponics enterprise. As a consequence, the investments in the fish component are relatively high and weigh heavily on the financial balance. For producers to successfully adopt aquaponics, they need to consider starting first with catfish, and then, as they get to master the system’s management, they can shift to a high-value fish species for niche markets.

This study assessed the long-term toxicity of chlorpyrifos on survival and reproduction of Banded Gourami by using mortality, gonado-somatic index (GSI) and histopathological observations as endpoints. Adult fish were exposed to five different concentrations of chlorpyrifos (0, 15, 50, 150, 500 µg/L) in 15 PVC tanks for 15, 30, 45, 60 and 75 days. Results showed that all male and female fish died after 15 days of 500 µg/L chlorpyrifos exposure. No consistent significant effect was observed for both male and female GSI. Furthermore, results showed dose- and time-dependent histopathological alterations for both ovary and testes. The 60-d No Observed Effect Concentration (NOEC) for most histopathological alterations of Banded Gourami ovary and testes was 50 μg/L, while 60-d NOEC for mortality of both male and female fish was15 μg/L. The results show that the long-term exposure to chlorpyrifos not only affect the reproductive tissues of Banded Gourami at exposure concentrations but also cause their mortality. Future studies should evaluate effects at lower concentrations.

Gender equality has been a political issue in view of human rights and welfare since several decades. Therefore, many countries have developed Gender Action Plans (GAPs) that support equal access of both sexes to education, employment and finance. Two workshops on GAPs in aquaculture and a literature review brought about the question: what's missing in Asian sectoral GAPs. Not all reviewed Asian countries have GAPs for fishery/ aquaculture, but all encountered constraints to achieve their goals regarding equal access for women. Women's contribution in aquaculture tends to go beyond the traditional gender divide. For example, women may lead in the area of production because they can combine aquaculture with their homebound tasks and own vertically integrated companies. However, skewed perceptions on the role, status and perception of women and men, more so in strong than weak patriarchies (the former accept the subservient role, while the latter exercise the dominant role) limit women's access to training opportunities on new aquaculture technologies. Women are also left out in policy- and decision-making processes; and in the value chain, women receive lower wages than men. Their role is underestimated by lack of disaggregated data, as reflected in post-disaster interventions and industrial development programs. To be effective sectoral GAPs, based on disaggregated data, should have budgets, plans and target indicators for which leaders could be held accountable. These GAPs, however, can't address the required radical change in attitude toward women; unless deliberately planned educational media campaigns are embedded into the national GAPs.

The use of serious games in the governance of natural resources and the environment is progressively increasing and includes games used for research and data collection, teaching and training, and fostering a change of practices. However, this diversity remains underexplored and underreported. In view of a growing interest in the use of serious games in natural resource and environmental governance, the absence of discussions about how differences in intended use and delivery influence the performance, assessment, and outcomes of games is problematic. Here we present an inventory, and a description, of such different uses then, by focusing on serious games used as interventions, we discuss when, and how, games could be used to generate learning and social learning. To that end we use a narrative review of selected literature, and insight from research on social learning, to develop an inventory of game use, and within that inventory we conceptualize the use of serious games as a social learning intervention. Also, by means of an illustrative case of a serious game (developed as part of the Assessing the Learning Effects of Games on Attitude of Stakeholders toward Sustainable Shrimp Farming – ALEGAMS research project) we reflect on a few key aspects of game use. We suggest that developing a serious game needs several iterations and, although the learning outcomes can be assessed, the impact of games aiming at changes in current practice and policy will likely fall beyond the timespan of usual project periods. This is something future research should consider as it has implications for the research design and methodology.

Abrasion in coastal area of northern Central Java is severe, with abraded area exceeding 5,000 hectares which resulted in many aquaculture ponds became submerged and dissapeared. Eventhough physically the ponds are no longer visible, however the water quality is still supporting aquaculture to be carried out in that area. This paper explores the possibility that aquaculture innovation technology using an IMTA concept is suitable for abraded area in the stakeholders' point of view so that can be introduced to local community affected by abrasion to support their livelihood. This study employed rapid appraisal for aquaculture innovation system (RAAIS) to obtain data in two location in Central Java: Demak and Brebes regency and used descriptive for analysis method. Stakeholders from different background were involved representing fish farmers, government, NGOs, private sector and academics. Systemic analysis showed that both areas uncover similar constraints due to adopting the new IMTA technology. Stakeholders believed that constraints were mostly grouped as technological and institutional issues and that most problems rooted in the national level. Issues along value chain were believed by stakeholders from Brebes region may occur mostly in production area while stakeholders from Demak believed that inability to access credit deserves the blame. The possibility of using IMTA for aquaculture activity in abraded coastal area were also dicussed based on the obtained data.

This study assessed the long-term toxicity of chlorpyrifos on survival and reproduction of Banded Gourami by using mortality, gonado-somatic index (GSI) and histopathological observations as endpoints. Adult fish were exposed to five different concentrations of chlorpyrifos (0, 15, 50, 150, 500 µg/L) in 15 PVC tanks for 15, 30, 45, 60 and 75 days. Results showed that all male and female fish died after 15 days of 500 µg/L chlorpyrifos exposure. No consistent significant effect was observed for both male and female GSI. Furthermore, results showed dose- and time-dependent histopathological alterations for both ovary and testes. The 60-d No Observed Effect Concentration (NOEC) for most histopathological alterations of Banded Gourami ovary and testes was 50 μg/L, while 60-d NOEC for mortality of both male and female fish was < 15 μg/L. The results show that the long-term exposure to chlorpyrifos not only affect the reproductive tissues of Banded Gourami at exposure concentrations but also cause their mortality. Future studies should evaluate effects at lower concentrations.

Due to the author’s omission to check the corrections by the journal’ imposed reviewer of English style. Please read the following sections and Tables as follows: Abstract The sustainability of prawn farming in brackish water ponds is controversial because of low yields and mangrove clearing. Low yields are due mostly to insufficient preparation of pond bottoms. Mangrove trees are often planted on pond bunds as window dressing. This study examined the effect of three types of liquid compost from vegetables, fruit, and both vegetables and fruit in tanks to which whole or chopped Avicenia marina leaves were added to mimic local pond conditions. In a split-plot design, 28 square tanks were each stocked with one hundred 15-day-old post-larvae tiger prawns (Penaeus monodon). Four tanks were used as controls and 24 were assigned to the treatments, 12 with whole and 12 with chopped leaves. In both of these 12, 4 received liquid compost from vegetables, 4 from fruits and 4 from their mixture. Shrimp were weighed at the start, halfway and end of the 50-day trial, and fed at 5% of the estimated total weight; survival was counted at the end. The survival rates of treatments and controls (65–76%) were not significantly different. Shrimp in water with vegetable compost grew significantly faster (2.7% day-1) than in both treatments with fruit (2.5% day-1). Shrimp in all treatments grew significantly faster than those in the controls (2.0% day-1). The lower growth rate of shrimp fed fruit compost may have been due to dinoflagellates, which are known to negatively affect shrimp. Shrimp in tanks with chopped leaves of A. marina grew slightly better than shrimp in tanks with whole leaves. On page 3, just above ‘Data collection and calculation’’: ‘‘The post-larva shrimp were fed with commercial pellets at 5% of total body weight, estimated at the start and halfway the study. To encourage shrimp to use the natural feed produced in the tanks, …’’.

We applied quantitative 3D computed tomography to 50 complete articular AO type C fractures of the distal radius and tested the null hypothesis that fracture fragments can be divided according to Melone's concept (radial styloid and volar and dorsal lunate facet fragments) and that each fragment has similar (1) displacement and (2) articular surface area. Thirty-eight fractures fit the Melone distribution of fragments. Radial styloid fragments were most displaced, and volar lunate fragments were least displaced. Volar lunate fragments had the largest articular surface area. While these findings confirm Melone's concepts, the finding that volar lunate fragments are relatively large and dorsal lunate fragments relatively small suggests that alignment of the volar lunate fragment with the radial styloid may be the key element of treatment and the dorsal lunate fragment may not routinely benefit from specific reduction and fixation.

In response to increasing concerns about sustainable production, a growing number of European customers expect seafood products to be certified, e.g. by ASC certification. A possible answer to achieve environmental sustainability of Vietnamese pangasius farming is to apply recirculating aquaculture systems (RASs) at the farm. However, RAS requires relatively high initial investments and therefore its adoption depends largely on the economic feasibility in the Vietnamese farming context. The latter includes not only economic factors but also socio-demographic characteristics of the farmers.This study uses a choice experiment to measure farmers' preferences for RAS in pangasius production in Vietnam. Findings show that the probability of adopting RAS is positively associated with expected higher yields and ASC certification with a price premium, whereas it is negatively associated with the initial investment. Location of a farm is also important, i.e. farmers in saltwater intrusion areas are more likely to implement RAS compared to those in freshwater areas. Other variables significantly associated with the probability of adopting RAS are age, education, gender, and household income. The overall probability of adopting RAS was low; the main constraints for adoption of RAS were farmers' uncertainty about the performance of RAS, lack of access to finance and lack of certainty about receiving the ASC price premium. To stimulate the adoption of RAS, we recommend that policy makers target farmers with farms located in saltwater intrusion areas. We further recommend policies that link access to credit with investments in sustainability, and the establishment of pioneer RAS farms as a way to disseminate information about RAS and reduce farmers' uncertainty. Lastly, we recommend that retailers guarantee price premiums for ASC-certified pangasius. Statement of relevance Adoption of recirculating aquaculture systems is considered to be an important step to achieve compliance with sustainability certifications and disease control in pangasius farming. As a result, retailers and buyers in the EU can find pangasius products from environmentally sustainable and socially equitable production systems.

Gracilaria verrucosa is one of the Rhodophyta, it has an economic value and major aquaculture commodity in Indonesia which the production had increased between 2010 and 2014. Agar is one of the hydrocolloid extracts from Gracilaria, which the quality depends on the strain, cultivation methods and the water quality. This research compares three cultivation methods (broadcast, off-bottom and long-line) and two seedling types (local versus tissue cultured). After 60 days of cultivation, the Specific Growth Rates (SGRs), the agar content and gel strength were determined. The SGR (%d–1) of the local seedlings was higher than that of the tissue-cultured for all three culture methods: 1.2–1.3 and 0.5–1.1, respectively, probably due to adaptation problems. Overall, broadcasting resulted in a significantly higher agar content (9.6%) compared to off-bottom (6%) and long-line (3.2%), because of the low amount of light compared to photosynthesis, translating to less cell walls and more accumulation of carrageenan farther from the water surface. The gel strength of tissue-cultured seedlings in broadcast and off-bottom was significantly higher than that from long-line (505 compared to 201 g cm−2). The choice of seedlings and culture method may depend on the market price criteria and final use of the seaweed. Keywords: Gracilaria verrucosa, Cultivation methods, Seedling types, Growth, Agar

The use of organophosphate pesticides (OPPs) to protect a variety of crops has increased in Bangladesh. OPPs may contaminate surrounding aquatic environments through several routes including spray drift, surface runoff and groundwater leaching. Since it is unknown how much OPP end ups in aquatic environment in Bangladesh, the objectives of the present study were to quantify the residues of ten most commonly used OPPs in water and sediment of water bodies of north-west Bangladesh and to assess their ecological risks for aquatic organisms. The risks of the pesticides in surface water and sediment were assessed using a first-tier risk quotient (RQ) approach. The higher-tier PERPEST model was used to refine the ecological risks of pesticides when RQ indicated a potential risk. Results showed the most frequently detected pesticides that appeared in high concentrations were chlorpyrifos, diazinon and quinalphos in surface water and sediment. The highest concentration of OPPs measured in water was 9.1 μg chlorpyrifos/L (median of 1.95 μg/L), while this was 51 μg diazinon/kg dw (median of 11 μg/kg dw) for sediment. Furthermore, results showed high acute and/or chronic RQs (RQ > 1) in surface water and sediment for chlorpyrifos, diazinon, quinalphos, malathion and fenitrothion. The higher-tier PERPEST model confirmed risks of chlorpyrifos, diazinon, quinalphos and fenitrothion for aquatic insects, micro- and macro-crustaceans which were previously derived by RQ-based risk assessment for aquatic organisms. Furthermore, the results of the PERPEST model also indicated possible indirect effects of these pesticides on algae and macrophytes, community metabolism, rotifers and other macro-invertebrates.

Price transmission in international supply chains is important to ensure that price premiums paid by consumers for environmental sustainability labels are transmitted upstream to farmers. This facilitates investment in sustainable aquaculture systems. This study analyzes the price transmission from the international retail stage to the Vietnamese farm, focusing on frozen pangasius fillets. We used monthly nominal prices at farm and export stages in Vietnam, and at wholesale and retail stages in Poland for the period from August 2010 to December 2014. Price signals at the Polish retail stage were found to transmit back to the wholesale, export, and farm stages. Moreover, price transmission from wholesale to export and from export to farm is characterized by both short- and long-run symmetries. In the short run, retailers tend to transmit only wholesale price increases to their customers and wholesalers transmit only retail price increases to exporters. A long-run relationship between retailers and wholesalers is absent, thereby reducing the ability of chain actors to respond to all market signals, including downward changes. Given the delay in price transmission in the short run, the introduction of business-to-business electronic trading or auction markets might reduce this delay along the retail, wholesale, export, and farm stages. To enhance the long-run price relationship in the wholesale-retail market, more retailers should enter the pangasius market. The transmission of price changes from Polish markets back to Vietnamese pangasius farmers is a positive signal for farmers to invest in sustainable production methods, as consumer price premiums likely flow back to the farm.

Blue swimming crab is targeted by commercial fisheries because of the high economic value, good taste, and attractive colors. As a result, the stock is overexploited and fisherman catch market also juveniles. The most sustainable solution would be to stop fishing for commercial trade and to culture this crab from brood to market size. This study aimed to find the best feed and stocking density for the on-growing of crablets. In 20 tanks juvenile crabs with a carapace width +1 cm were stocked in three densities; 40, 60 and 80 crablets /m2, and fed ad-libitum twice a day with either trash fish or pellets of shrimp feed, for 8 weeks. The circular (ᴓ 1.6 m x 1 m) tanks with 1 m3 of water were aerated, and temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen and pH recorded daily. In the end, growth and survival rates were determined. In general, feeding the crablets at a density of 40 m-2 gave the highest growth. For crablest fed with pellets, the density of 40 m-2 gave significantly better growth than 80 m-2. The crablets at a density 40 m-2 having a fish diet with the density 40 m-2 grew better than 60 and 80 m-2. There was no significant difference between fed used among different densities. The lower densities resulted in higher survival, either on crablets fed with pellets or fish. But, crablets fed the fish diet and cultured in the lowest density (40 m-2) had the highest survival rate.

Vietnamese pangasius farming needs to produce efficiently to compete in world markets. This study investigates the input- and output-specific technical inefficiency of Vietnamese pangasius farmers. First, we used a Russell-type (input–output) directional distance function to estimate the input- and output-specific technical inefficiency. Second, we applied a bootstrap truncated regression to analyze the factors influencing these technical inefficiencies. Results show that the main challenges for enhancing the performance of Vietnamese pangasius production are inadequate use of capital assets (inefficiency of 42%) and improper methods to achieve higher fish yield (inefficiency of 30%). Input-specific technical inefficiency (pond area and feed) is negatively associated with the experience and education level of pangasius farmers. Location of the farm in a saltwater intrusion area is positively associated with the inefficiency of producing fish. Outcomes of this study are useful to identify successful strategies to minimize the use of inputs while simultaneously maximizing fish production.

The development of shrimp farming in Vietnam has eroded the social-ecological resilience of the coastal ecosystem. Recent literature supports the idea that integrated mangrove-shrimp production systems can contribute to rebuilding this resilience in the Mekong Delta. Two experts panels, international and Vietnamese, were consulted to validate and weight drivers identified from literature that enable or constraint farmers to shift from extensive production system to integrated mangrove-shrimp system or to continue such integrated system. Though a combination of drivers is needed to enhance changes, two sets of drivers were given the highest weight. Experts considered the ecosystem function of the mangrove an enabling driver pushing farmers to plant mangrove in order to improve the pond's water quality and limit disease outbreaks. They perceived the drivers related to the current regulatory framework as constraining because these limit the financial return associated with integrated mangrove-shrimp systems. The analysis indicates that the adoption of these integrated systems requires more equitable distribution of benefits from shrimp and timber production between farmers and other stakeholder in these value chains. We recommend to develop a regulatory framework that can optimize the financial benefits of the integrated mangrove-shrimp production systems for farmers.

Whitespot syndrome virus (WSSV) has caused severe production drops in the shrimp industry. Numerous scientific manuscripts deal with WSSV epidemiology, but reports on minimizing disease outbreaks through ecological means are rare. Industry stakeholders resorted to various innovative techniques to recover from heavy economic losses. Some shrimp farmers in the Philippines claimed that 'greenwater' (GW) technology could prevent disease outbreaks due to WSSV. The efficiency of the GW technology was evaluated by comparing three ponds using the GW culture technique with three ponds not using it. WSSV was detected only in one of the GW ponds and not in the non-GW ponds. No WSSV disease outbreak occurred, and no conclusion could be reached. In GW ponds, available soil sulphur content was lower; and in water, the observed counts of luminous bacteria were lower and counts of Chlorophyceae were higher. Chlorophyceae, i.e. algae, enhanced nutrient uptake in effluent streams resulting in improved water quality in Penaeus monodon Fabricius culture ponds. This suggests that the use of the GW technique to culture P. monodon improved water quality.

In Vietnam, culturing striped catfish makes an important contribution to the Mekong Delta's economy. Water level rise during rainy season and salt intrusion during dry season affect the water exchange and quality for this culture. Sea level rise as a consequence of climate change will worsen these influences. In this study, water level rise and salt water intrusion for three sea level rise (SLR) scenarios (i.e., +30, +50, and +75 cm) were simulated. The results showed that at SLR +50, the 3-m-flood level would spread downstream and threaten farms located in AnGiang, DongThap and CanTho provinces. Rising salinity levels for SLR +75 would reduce the window appropriate for the culture in SocTrang and BenTre provinces, and in TienGiang's coastal districts. Next to increasing dikes to reduce the impacts, the most tenable and least disruptive option to the farming community would be to shift to a salinity tolerant strain of catfish.

Vietnam is the largest producer for the export of striped catfish. Traditionally striped catfish production in the Mekong Delta took place in integrated agriculture–aquaculture systems, but has shifted recently to intensive systems to meet increasing export demands. A recent study quantified the environmental impact of intensive striped catfish production in Vietnam. Another did the same for integrated systems. Both studies used life cycle assessment, covered similar environmental impact categories, and were roughly matched in the production stages included. However, an environmental comparison of both systems has not been made so far. The objective of this paper is to make a comparative life cycle assessment of striped catfish production in intensive and integrated systems. The comparison was based on existing life cycle assessments on these systems, but their methodological choices and data had to be aligned. The results show that striped catfish production in intensive systems contributes considerably more to seven of the nine assessed impact categories (global warming, ozone depletion, acidification, eutrophication, photochemical oxidation, human toxicity, freshwater ecotoxicity, marine aquatic ecotoxicity, fossil depletion). Only contributions to eutrophication and freshwater ecotoxicity were higher for the integrated systems than for the intensive systems. In both systems, grow-out fish farming contributes most to eutrophication and freshwater ecotoxicity, whereas feed production contributes most to all other impact categories. The environmental performance of integrated striped catfish production is convincingly better in most impact categories. This raises questions about whether (elements of) these systems can be used to mitigate the environmental impact of intensive striped catfish production.

Background: Patient satisfaction is used as an indicator of quality of care, but the measures currently available are lengthy and cumbersome and may not be feasible in orthopedic surgical practices. We set out to assess the relationship between the Medical Interview Satisfaction Scale (MISS-21) and a numerical rating scale (NRS) of patient satisfaction with current management of an orthopedic upper extremity condition. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 86 patients from the practices of 2 hand surgeons were included during an initial or follow-up visit. Questionnaires assessing demographics, upper extremity specific disability, pain during rest and activity, satisfaction with the medical visits (MISS-21), and satisfaction with current management of an orthopedic upper extremity condition (NRS satisfaction) were completed. Results: Eighty-six patients completed all questionnaires. A small correlation of .21 ( P = .050) was found between the MISS-21 and the NRS satisfaction. In bivariate analysis, NRS pain at rest and during activity had small correlations with the MISS-21 (−.29, P = .05 and −.23, P = .034) and with NRS satisfaction (−.27, P = .011 and −0.27, P = 0.012). Quick Disability of Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH) had a small correlation with NRS satisfaction (−0.023, P ≤ 0.001), but did not correlate with MISS-21. Conclusions: Although there is small overlap about the 2 satisfaction measures, a complex patient satisfaction questionnaire consisting of multiple facets of patient satisfaction like MISS-21 is not replaceable by 1 simple NRS patient satisfaction question.

Intensive Pangasius aquaculture in Vietnam has attracted concerns about the sustainability of its resource use. However, the assessment of the latter, using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), is a time-consuming and complex task. To establish a simplified approach, especially relevant for certification incentives, as an alternative to a full LCA, we first highlight key parameters in resource use of the system to provide a better understanding of the variability in LCA results, and second present inferred equations that allow for an easy estimation of the resource footprint using some of these key parameters. A representative sample of 10 certified (i.e., ASC and GLOBALG.A.P.) and 10 non-certified intensive Pangasius farms in the Mekong Delta was investigated. Detailed LCA results, resulting in resource consumption in terms of the Cumulative Exergy Extraction from Natural Environment (CEENE), showed that pond water renewal and feed production, particularly agriculture-based feed ingredients, were the hotspots. Inferred equations, in fact linear regression models, were successfully set up and have proven to be useful to estimate the resource footprint of Pangasius feeds and aquaculture using parameters identified as the resource use hotspots. The CEENE over the cradle to feed mill gate per tonne feed could be predicted from the mass share of agriculture-based ingredients (R 2 ≥ 0.90, n = 12 feeds). The CEENE over the cradle to farm gate per tonne Pangasius fish in the certified farms and/or non-certified farms can be explained by the amount of water and feed inputs (R 2 ≥ 0.98, n = 20 farms), which highlights the relevance of managing these resources in intensive Pangasius farming, and subsequent equations were also set up.

Pangasius production in Vietnam is widely known as a success story in aquaculture, the fastest growing global food system because of its tremendous expansion by volume, value and the number of international markets to which Pangasius has been exported in recent years. While certification schemes are becoming significant features of international fish trade and marketing, an increasing number of Pangasius producers have followed at least one of the certification schemes recognised by international markets to incorporate environmental and social sustainability practices in aquaculture, typically the Pangasius Aquaculture Dialogue (PAD) scheme certified by the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC). An assessment of the environmental benefit of applying certification schemes on Pangasius production, however, is still needed. This article compared the environmental impact of ASC-certified versus non-ASC certified intensive Pangasius aquaculture, using a statistically supported LCA. We focused on both resource-related (water, land and total resources) and emissions-related (global warming, acidification, freshwater and marine eutrophication) categories. The ASC certification scheme was shown to be a good approach for determining adequate environmental sustainability, especially concerning emissions-related categories, in Pangasius production. However, the non-ASC certified farms, due to the large spread, the impact (e.g., water resources and freshwater eutrophication) was possibly lower for a certain farm. However, this result was not generally prominent. Further improvements in intensive Pangasius production to inspire certification schemes are proposed, e.g., making the implementation of certification schemes more affordable, well-oriented and facilitated; reducing consumed feed amounts and of the incorporated share in fishmeal, especially domestic fishmeal, etc. However, their implementation should be vetted with key stakeholders to assess their feasibility.

The paper reviews the following three types of mangrove-shrimp systems: (i) integrated with canals between platforms planted with mangrove; (ii) associated having larger areas of water and a large mangrove area; and (iii) separated, with a dyke separating ponds from forest. The variations in shrimp yield of integrated and associated systems, that is, mixed systems, are attributable to water exchange, % water surface, primary production, stocking of post-larvae, leaf litter fall and decomposition, species, cover and age of mangrove, and predators. Leaf litter from all mangrove species except Nipa palm adversely affect water quality. Leaf composition and decomposition rate vary between species; submersed leaves decompose faster. Low concentrations of decomposing leaves of certain species temporarily boosted shrimp growth. Shrimp yield has been found to be highest in ponds with 30–50% mangrove cover, but remained

Maize represents the main food crop and grows in all agro-ecological zones in Benin. Various technologies were introduced to increase its yield; the impact of these technologies can be assessed through a spatio-temporal analysis of the yields. Thereto, the record of yields from 1987 to 2007 of 77 agriculture districts was collected. The spatial analysis showed that there is a variation among the yields of the eight different agro-ecological zones of Benin. In most zones, the yields show an increasing annual trend fitting to an exponential smoothing model. However, yields are relatively low and highly variable due to several factors. Climatic factors, in particular the quantity of rain during the periods of full vegetative growth (May in the south, and July and August in the north), explained 15–77% of the interannual yield variations. The effect of rainfall was highest in the most northern and the south-west zones having a monomodel and bimodal rainy season, respectively, and where maize is not the main crop. In the central cotton-growing zones the effect of the preceding year on the maize yield was strong due to manuring of the cotton. In general, the increase of yields is due in particular to the adoption of new agricultural practices (application of organic matter, fertilizers, number and period of weeding). Estimations of crop yields and impact of climate change on crop yields, as well as the analysis of adaptations in response of climate changes, should consider the spatio-temporal variations and the impact of new technologies.

This study investigated the determinants of the adoption of improved rice–fish farming systems in the Mekong delta to support policy making, agricultural land-use planning and extension of integrated rice–fish farming. Recently these systems have been referred to as adaptations to climate change, while traditional rice–fish systems have often been abandoned. In 2006, we carried out surveys among 94 farmers either practising rice monoculture or having an improved rice–fish system. We analysed data among others with binary logistic regression and simulated adoption by using fuzzy logic. Per capita and per hectare incomes of households practising rice–fish systems were nearly double, while their farm size was 1.3 times larger than that of the rice monoculture farms. Households with larger homesteads, i.e. neighbouring irrigated fields and ponds, better access to financial capital and more know-how of rice and fish culture and their integration, were more likely to adopt rice–fish systems. Previously identified drivers and factors for adoption, such as an appropriate agro-ecological context and the farmer’s education and training level, were confirmed. Promoting rice–fish systems needs participatory extension and research approaches for sustainable agriculture strategies such as integrated pest management (IPM) in which farmers, trainers and researchers optimize technologies in constantly changing contexts.

An important paradigm in decision-making models is utility-maximization where most models do not include actors' motives. Fuzzy set theory on the other hand offers a method to simulate human decision-making. However, the literature describing expert-driven fuzzy logic models, rarely gives precise details on the methodology (to be) used. To fill the gap, this paper describes a methodology of 10 steps to model individual actor's drivers, motives, hereby taking into account the ecological, social and economic context. Testing the methodology on the composition of mixed farming systems in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam, showed that manual model development is not a waterfall approach but requires feedback loops, except for model implementation. Using feed-back loops, the proposed 10 step method allowed to include human drivers and motives other than utility-maximization and to maintain a degree of transparency hard to achieve when using automated procedures.

BACKGROUND: Adherence to medication is a favourable with regard to survival after kidney, heart and liver transplantation. Little is known about adherence to medication in lung transplant recipients. To determine the prevalence of adherence and identify risk factors of non-adherence (NA) we evaluated adherence to tacrolimus in adult lung transplant recipients who were at least 1 year after transplantation.METHODS: Tacrolimus intake was prospectively monitored using the Medication Event Monitoring System (MEMS). Recipients qualified as adherent if a timing-adherence score of >= 80% was reached. Patients' characteristics and possible risk factors for NA were collected using the Karnofsky Performance Index, Self-Care Agency ASA Scale, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale, and the Long-Term Medication Behavior Self-Efficacy Scale.RESULTS: Ninety-one recipients used MEMS for a median of 95 days (range 50 to 124 days) and were included. They showed a median timing-adherence score of 98.1% (range 31.2% to 100%). A timing-adherence score of >= 80% was seen in 92.3% of the recipients. Multiple logistic regression showed an association of lower timing-adherence scores with younger age an I lower ability of self-care.CONCLUSIONS: Adherence to immunosuppressive therapy was very high in lung transplant recipients. Only 7.7% of the recipients were non-adherent. Younger recipients and recipients with lower ability of self-care appeared to be at risk for NA. Follow-up of clinical data is needed to determine whether NA is associated with poorer outcome, specifically bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome. J Heart Lung Transplant 2011;30:1275-80 (C) 2011 International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation. All rights reserved.

White spot sydrome virus (WSSV) is one of the most important viral disease of shrimp. Several studies to control the disease have been done. Tank experiments identified WSSV risk factors related to the physico chemical properties of the water. A few studies reported pond level WSSV risk factors. This study identifies the risk factors associated with essentially two different farming systems: polyculture and semi-intensive monoculture of Penaeus monodon . Data were gathered from a total of 174 shrimp farmers in eight provinces of the Philippines using a structured questionnaire. Forty-seven variables related to pond history and site description, period of culture, pond preparation techniques, water management, culture methods, feed and other inputs, and biosecurity measures were investigated. In the analysis for combined monoculture and polyculture farms, feeding live molluscs was identified as important WSSV risk factors. In addition to feeding live molluscs, sharing of water source with other farms, having the same receiving and water source, larger pond size , and higher stocking density were identified as important WSSV risk factors in monoculture farms. Climate, i.e. stocking during the cold months and sludge removal and its deposition on the dikes were identified as WSSV risk factors in polyculture farms. Protective factors, listed in decreasing significance, were feeding with planktons and high mangrove to pond area ratio, both observed in the dataset with both monoculture and polyculture farms, while only the latter was observed in the dataset for monoculture farms only. No protective factor was observed in the dataset for polyculture farms. This study confirmed the negative effect of sharing water source with other farms and identified several new factors influencing WSSV infection such as feeding live molluscs increases the risk, while feeding with planktons and high mangrove to pond area ratio reduce the risk.

Intensification of livestock production is widely advocated to meet the increasing demands for livestock products and to contribute to improving the livelihoods of rural households. This paper discusses the impact of livestock intensification on smallholder farms using village poultry, integrated agriculture–aquaculture systems, small ruminants, and dairying case-studies. Driving forces for intensification in crop-livestock systems act at international, national, regional, and agro-eco system levels. Whether or not individual households respond to these drivers depends on the availability of household resources, the family situation, and livelihood alternatives. As livestock systems intensify, the relative importance of the various functions of livestock changes. The case-studies confirmed that, in terms of ‘returns’, there is a livestock ladder with the smallest benefits accruing from village poultry and the largest benefits provided by dairy cattle. Small animals are an appreciated secondary activity, or an essential source of security and small income for the very poor. The potential of intensification of small animal systems to substantially increase incomes of rural households appears to be low. Nevertheless, small animals are more suitable for micro-credit and livestock loans-in-kind programmes than large ruminants. Innovations in livestock production will only be adopted by smallholders if they fit farming household priorities and resources.

The authors wish to thank the Government of Japan for funding the study through the Trust Fund awarded to the Aquaculture Department Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC AQD) under study code 8001 T FD FH0206.

This study aims to update the typology of shrimp farms in a province of the Mekong Delta's coastal area. We analyzed technical and economic characteristics of 170 farms using factor and cluster analysis on the different variables collected during the survey. This allowed us to characterize four different shrimp production systems: intensive commercial and intensive family farms, and the more extensive brackish water polyculture and rice–shrimp farms. The systems differed in their level of intensification, diversification and origin of labor. Labor efficiency was higher in intensive than in extensive farms. The difference in technical practice affected the farm economy and specifically its operational monetary cost which was 25–45 times higher in intensive commercial farms than in brackish water polyculture and rice–shrimp farms, respectively. The intensive commercial farms were significantly less affected by virus outbreak than the extensive brackish water polyculture farms. This last shrimp production system presented a very low shrimp yield but a higher capital use efficiency than intensive commercial farms. Rice–shrimp farms, which are located in a specific agro-ecological environment, presented average sustainability characteristics and an average disease occurrence. Results show that technological investments can reduce the vulnerability to disease outbreak and thus reduce the risk usually associated with shrimp farming.