A recent study led by Professor Titin Herawati highlights the impact of vannamei shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) farming waste on the core zone ecosystems of Pangandaran Coastal Park, Indonesia. As a major hub for shrimp aquaculture, Pangandaran simultaneously serves as a critical conservation area for endangered sea turtles, yet its ecological balance is increasingly at risk due to unmanaged aquaculture effluents.
The research revealed excessive concentrations of total suspended solids (TSS), ammonia (NH₃), nitrate (NO₃), and phosphate (PO₄) in shrimp farm discharge outlets. These values, far above the national water quality standards, have resulted in sedimentation and eutrophication, directly degrading sea turtle nesting and landing habitats. Field observations also recorded six sea turtle mortalities—including green and leatherback sea turtles—along the Legok Jawa coast, strongly linked to deteriorating water quality caused by aquaculture waste.
Moreover, the study emphasizes that this pollution extends its impact to coral reef ecosystems, which provide vital habitats for reef fish and lobsters. Without immediate improvements in waste management practices, the ecological integrity of Pangandaran’s conservation areas faces a critical threat.
This research not only provides vital ecological insights but also reinforces the urgency of global sustainability efforts. It contributes directly to SDG 14 (Life Below Water) by protecting marine biodiversity, SDG 15 (Life on Land) through the conservation of endangered sea turtles, and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by promoting sustainable aquaculture practices. Professor Herawati’s findings serve as a call to action for policymakers, aquaculture stakeholders, and conservationists to align economic activities with environmental stewardship.
Inventor: Prof. Titin Herawati, Prof. Zahidah Hasan, Prof. Yudi Nurul Ihsan, Dr. Candra Wirawan Arief, Dr. Adiana binti Ghazali (Collaborator from Universiti Malaysia Sabah), Dr. Atikah Nurhayati, Dr. Buntora Pasaribu
For more information click here: https://www.scopus.com/record/display.uri?eid=2-s2.0-86000510545&origin=recordpage
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