Sustainability development analysis of semi-intensive shrimp farms in Sonora, México

During the year 2000, 12 modified and five new sustainable development indicators (SDIs) were applied and a sustainable index (SI) was developed for 21 out of the 33 semi-intensive shrimp farms in Sonora, Mexico, to measure their sustainable development. Farms 5, 7 and 19 showed the highest values in social indicators, farms 5, 7 and 19 in the economic indicators and farms 2, 3 and 4 in natural indicators. In contrast farms 9, 16 and 17 obtained the lowest values in social indicators, farms 3 and 11 in the economic indicators, and farms 9, 11 and 16 in natural indicators. In the SI, farm 9 obtained the lowest value, farm 20 the highest, and most farms values between 6 and 7. In Sonora most of the semi-intensive shrimp farms avoided adverse impacts on the environment by constructing on salty or arid lands with no mangroves. Most of the projects are communal and benefits go directly to the population, giving Sonora, in comparison with other regions, a more sustainable development.