Extensive shrimp farming (low-density) is conducted in the tropics, in low-lying impoundments along bays and tidal rivers, often in conjunction with herbivorous fish. Impoundments range in size from a few hectares to over a hundred hectares. Stocking densities are quite low, not over 25,000 post-larvae per hectare. Production costs range from $1.00 to $3.00 per kilogram of live shrimp. Since it is illegal in many countries to build new shrimp farms in tidal and mangrove areas, almost no new extensive shrimp farms are being constructed today.

Conducted above the high tide line, semi-intensive farming introduces carefully laid out ponds (2 to 30 hectares), feeding and pumping. Pumps exchange from 0% to 25% of the water a day. Stocking rates ranging from 100,000 to 300,000 post-larvae per hectare. Construction costs range from $10,000 to $35,000 per hectare. Production costs range from $2.00 to $6.00 per kilogram of live shrimp. If too many semi-intensive farms concentrate in a small area, they can have a negative effect on the environment through the shrimps's effluents.

Intensive shrimp farming introduces small enclosures (0.1 to 1.5 hectares), high stocking densities (more than 300,000 post-larvae per hectare), around-the-clock management, heavy feeding, waste removal and aeration. Production costs range from $4.00 to $8.00 per kilogram of live shrimp. Intensive farms frequently cause environmental problems.

Super-intensive shrimp farming takes even greater control of
the environment and can produce yields of 20,000 to 100,000 kilograms per hectare per year! If the current experiments with super-intensive shrimp farming become profitable, the world's shrimp industries will be changed forever!