Optimizing the Carrying Capacity Strategies and Factors

amount of oxygen available is the main limiting factor for the carrying capacity of the ponds. Therefore, to maintain an optimal and efficient carrying capacity, it is essential to ensure that the pond’s dissolved oxygen (DO) levels are kept at a range of 5­6 mg/L.

In most production systems for ponds, the carrying capacity is limited by the oxygen supply, which is a complex issue in shrimp and fish ponds. There are some factors that contribute to oxygen supply, including photosynthesis, diffusion from the atmosphere, and the use of paddle wheel aerators. On the other side, some factors can simultaneously remove oxygen from the water, such as algae and bacteria respiration, shrimp crop respiration, and bottom sediment consumption. John said that this problem varies over time and place, making it even more complex.

“And the key challenge to you as shrimp growers is to get oxygen from the surface or from the water column down to the bottom because most of the time, the shrimp are going to be down there. You can have good oxygen in the water column, but down where the shrimps are, the oxygen is very low”, he added.

As technology and system production advance and improve, factors limiting carrying capacity are also reduced. According to John, in intensive and super­intensive systems, carrying capacity is limited by the accumulation of organic matter at the bottom of the pond due to high shrimp biomass and feed inputs. The accumulation of organic matter is closely related to water quality. Therefore, to maintain carrying capacity at this level, farmers must keep the pond bottom clean through regular water exchange.

“Because if you can remove that from the pond, then you can spare the oxygen that you’re adding from the aerators and