Feasibility study of combined Gracilaria verrucosa seaweed with giant tiger prawn Penaeus monodon farming

Gracilaria verrucosa seaweed is one of the leading fishing commodities which can be cultured in ponds, in connection with the government's program for the development of seaweed aquaculture, in order to overcome the disease and failure issues in the cultivation of giant tiger prawn (Penaeus monodon). The waste resulting from the feed unused by P. monodon is one of the main causes of disease and failure in aquaculture, while it could provide the nutrients required for the seaweed cultivation in a polyculture system. This study aimed at evaluating the density of aquaculture which would be suitable for combining tiger prawn with seaweed cultures (polyculture). The method of observing and taking water samples at each observation location and the method of analysis refer to the American Public Health Association (APHA). In order to determine the prospects for developing tiger prawn and seaweed farming, a business profitability analysis was carried out. The results showed that among the relevant water quality parameters, the total suspended solids (TSS) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) have exceeded the thresholds of quality standard requirements for the aquaculture feasibility. The results of the economic valuation of shrimp farming in ponds can be applied to develop profitable businesses, as it can be seen from the R/C ratio>1 for tiger prawn farming densities of 8, 11 and 13 ind m-2. The seaweed cultivation area was 50% planted with seaweed, respectively R/C ratio 2.11, 1.83, 1.37. The combination of tiger prawn cultivation with seaweed at each density level of 8, 11 and 13 ind m-2 generates a profit of 6,039.831, 5,182,726, and 5,639.662 USD year-1, respectively.