Table 5.2. Environmental factors, interpretation and score for aquaculture development in Sinaloa.

FACTORS CRITERIA FOR SCORE SCORE

1-13
Water availability /10 /15 Availability of water is important for all systems in aquaculture. Quantity is particularly of importance for land based systems. An estimation of the dry and rainy seasons should be as accurate as possible so that all phases (construction, operation, maintenance) are properly planned. Seasonal and yearly fluctuations and availability need to be carefully considered. Temperature is both a limiting factor, setting high and low lethal limits, and a determinant for growth and survival rate through its impact on molecular activity. Non-acidic, impermeable and compactible. Clay or loam based soils are preferable. Very important for pond culture. A gentle slope of less than 2% is highly desirable for gravity water, conveyance to and from the ponds, provides efficient drainage. A smaller population density is likely to be a lesser pollution source. The further away from a city the less likely it is to have pollution problems such as domestic wastes and commercial and industrial discharges. Paved roads in particular can have a negative influence in the environment such as modifying the natural flow of a river and/or interrupting the tidal flow to a mangrove area. Industrial wastes have been a serious pollution problem, particularly in the water. Sugar cane factories are the biggest problem causing pollution in the form of organic wastes. Small risk of pesticide and herbicide pollution.

13

Suitable temperature /2 /8/11 /14 Suitable soils /3/4/15 Suitable topography /4 /10 Low population density /9/10/12 Distance from urban development /9 /1 0 /12 Distance from roads /1

12

11

/6 /7
Distance from industries /9/10/11 Low production agriculture /9 /10 Distance from irrigation /5/7 /9 Presence of livestock (pigs & poultry) /10

7
Highest pollution source in the state by using large quantities of fertilizers and pesticides. Damaging effects in coastal areas. Availability of manure to fertilize ponds, however, to a moderate extent since too much manure could generate eutrophication problems (i.e. depending on density of livestock and land runoff). Proximity should ensure good water quality but a certain distance should be kept to minimize construction costs. Extraction of forests products can have substantial impact on water quality and quantity by causing soil erosion and deposition. Little documented information on the effect of discharges. Apparently pollution is small and highly localized. Pollution comprises of farm effluents and saltwater contamination.

10 2

Smalt distance from forests

Distance from shrimp farms. /6 /10 /13

Source: 1/Aguilar-Manjarrez and Ross (1992); 21 Beveridge (1987); 3/ Chanratchakool et al. (1994); 4/Coche and Laughlin(1985); 5/CEDCP (1990); 6/Crown Estate (1987); 7/De la Lanza (1991); 8/Fast and Lanna (1992); 9/FloresVerdugo et al. (1992); 101 Kapetsky et al. (1987); 11/ Lester and Pante (1992); 121 Pillay (1992); 13/ Secretaria de Pesca (1991); 14/ Stirling (1985); 15IWang and Fast (1992).

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