Integrated multitrophic aquaculture investment brief: Bangladesh

Abstract

Integrated multitrophic aquaculture (IMTA) is considered a more sustainable alternative to conventional monoculture and polyculture systems, with potential to enhance profitability and reduce environmental impacts. However, IMTA adoption in Bangladesh remains limited because there is insufficient evidence of any economic and environmental advantages over existing conventional systems. As part of Asia–Africa BlueTech Superhighway (AABS), scientists at WorldFish evaluated the forecasted economic viability and environmental impact of sequential IMTA implementation by comparing conventional systems with partial and full IMTA systems. Across all of these systems, investment costs ranged from USD 13.17/m³ to USD 399.51/m³. Returns per USD 1 invested varied substantially, reaching USD 2.85–954.05 in full IMTA systems, USD 2.18–999.53 in partial IMTA systems, and USD 0.99–757.21 in monoculture and polyculture systems. In addition, full IMTA implementation reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 56.7–87.8 per cent compared with conventional monoculture and polyculture systems.