Shrimp p roduction in Mexico has been increasing over the years but has been a ffected by diseases , cost increases, price variations, the use of outdated infrastructure and obsolete technologies. This has impeded consolidation and expansion. To
counter this, sustainable, bio secure and economically efficient systems are needed. The photoheterotrophic culture is a hybrid system that mixes heterotrophic, chemotrophic and autotrophic microorganisms where a balance is struck in the ecosystem between nutrients, available dissolved oxygen and a capacity for particle transportation, through aeration. We have developed a three-phase hyper intensive technology for year round production of shrimp in the desert region of Northwest Mexico.
A three phase (conditioning, nursery, grow out) 6.6 ha modular system produces 6 cycles of 1 8 gram shrimp and 30 ton/ha with 60-day grow out. With an investment of US$5.8 million for infrastructure development, US$ 1.24 million for operation and a sale price of US$5.4/kg a benefit/cost of 1.4 is obtained . A 10-year income statement shows: IRR= 2 3%, NPV= US$3.5 million and payback time of 3.1 years.
T he intensive photoheterotrophic culture is a good alternative for the shrimp industry, as it allows for high yields to be obtained.