As a tropical country, Indonesia experiences a rainy season lasting approximately six months, specifically from November to May. This rainy season significantly impacts the conditions of shrimp pond waters that require careful attention.
Shrimp ponds are artificial ecosystems where shrimp grow and develop from stocking to harvest stages. These pond water conditions are highly vulnerable to climate and weather changes, especially during the rainy season.
The impact of the rainy season on pond sustainability can be observed from several aspects that affect production success, pond ecosystem balance, and the economics of shrimp farmers. Find out more in this article!
Also Read: 5 Characteristics of Intensive Vannamei Shrimp Pond You Should Know
Impact of Rainy Season on Shrimp Pond Sustainability
1. Affecting Water Quality
One of the most significant impacts of the rainy season on shrimp ponds is the alteration of water quality. High rainfall can increase the water volume in ponds, disrupting the balance of water quality parameters.
Due to rain, water temperature can experience stratification or unevenness, especially at the bottom. However, sunlight can raise the water temperature again, while continuous rain can be managed with aerators (paddles) to homogenize the water temperature.
A decrease in temperature will reduce shrimp feed consumption, approximately by 10% (dry weight) for each Celsius degree drop. When the water temperature drops by about 3-5℃, feed consumption can decline by up to 30%.
Low temperatures prompt shrimp to seek warmer water and tend to avoid the water surface to evade rain sounds or splashes. This implies that shrimp may be at the bottom of the pond, which may simultaneously experience a decrease in dissolved oxygen (DO) levels.
2. Increased Risk of Disease Infection
The influence of the rainy season on shrimp ponds is also associated with disease risk. Environmental changes caused by the rainy season can trigger increased growth of disease-causing pathogens.
Moreover, if shrimp are stressed due to sudden environmental changes, they become more susceptible to infections, exacerbating the health conditions of your shrimp pond.
Also Read: How to Reduce Vannamei Shrimp FCR for More Profitable Cultivation
3. Decrease in Plankton Quantity
The quantity of plankton can drastically decrease after rainfall, especially microalgae. This can occur due to a decrease in water pH, a reduction in mineral concentration and micro-nutrients, and reduced sunlight intensity.
4. Economic Impact
The influence of the rainy season on shrimp ponds also impacts the economic aspect. Disrupted or reduced shrimp production due to unsupportive environmental conditions can lead to financial losses for shrimp farmers.
When rain occurs during harvest time, farmers often have to postpone harvesting. Forcing a shrimp harvest during the rainy season can affect the quality of the produced shrimp.
Also Read: Facing Unpredictable Weather Challenges in Shrimp Farming
Monitor Your Shrimp Farming with AquaHero!
The rainy season significantly affects shrimp pond sustainability. To face these challenges, farmers need to prepare everything, including monitoring the water quality where shrimp grow and develop.
Now, you can easily record and monitor the water quality parameters of your vannamei shrimp ponds with AquaHero!
AquaHero is an application developed by DELOS to facilitate your continuous monitoring of pond conditions. From water quality to shrimp growth, recommended actions, and even break-even point (BEP) estimation during cultivation.
Contact the DELOS Team via contact@delosaqua.com or submit through the contact column on our website at www.delosaqua.com to try various AquaHero features and make your vannamei shrimp farming easier and traceable. Monitor your pond conditions with AquaHero!
