Promoting sustainable shrimp farming: balancing environmental goals, awareness, and socio-cultural factors in the Mekong Delta aquaculture

Shrimp farming in the Mekong Delta significantly impacts the environment, primarily through untreated effluents. This study evaluates environmental effects and socio-cultural factors influencing shrimp farming. Using the theory of planned behavior (TPB), 87 shrimp farming households across six coastal provinces we surveyed and analyzed data with exploratory factor analysis (EFA). Findings reveal critical water pollution concerns, with a substantial gap in adopting effective environmental measures. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) in intensive farming averaged 1.59, indicating feed inefficiencies. Water quality analysis showed 85.7% of farms rely on untreated river water, exacerbating pollution risks. Widespread antibiotic use and the presence of antibiotic-resistant genes highlight the urgent need for sustainable practices. Regression analysis indicated farmer attitudes significantly predict environmental concern and intentions toward sustainable practices, accounting for 66.6% of the variance in environmental concern. The study underscores the need for targeted interventions to enhance sustainable shrimp farming, emphasizing the role of attitude and awareness in environmental stewardship. These results provide a valuable framework for policymakers and practitioners to foster sustainability in aquaculture, benefiting both the environment and shrimp farmers’ livelihoods through effective water treatment technologies.