Integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (imta)

What is IMTA?

Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) systems combine fed aquaculture such as shrimp or fish with extractive inorganic aquaculture of seaweed and extractive organic matter of shellfish.

IMTA is a flexible system which aims to reproduce an ecosystem system on a smaller scale, and can be executed in open water or land based systems.

IMTA usually include combinations such as:

  • shrimp and shellfish
  • shrimp and seaweed
  • shrimp and fish (bottom feeders such as tilapia)
  • fish and shellfish and seaweed

IMTA should take into account a mix of species based on the desired ecosystem effects and the economic viability of each species. The secondary cash crops also provide economic diversification and reduce economic risk.

Aquaculture operations are under pressure to improve the economic and ecological components of their businesses. Consumer perception of aquaculture as a sustainable food is essential to develop the industry. IMTA offers aquaculture operations an opportunity to market their products as environmentally friendly whilst improving the bottom line.

In Asia ponds are often used for polyculture, which is simply the cultivation of more than one species side by side. When shellfish are cultivated in this type of Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) system, they are able to use waste matter from the shrimp culture, both from excess feed and from shrimp metabolism.

This organic detritus, together with chlorophyll a (Chl a) forms the natural food supply which is filtered and eaten by shellfish such as razor clams. The shellfish reduce eutrophication symptoms in the pond, helping to promote higher dissolved oxygen levels, which in turn reduces shrimp mortality.

If you would like to know more about IMTA and how it can help your aquaculture operations talk to us.

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