Abstract:
This research investigated the appropriate spatial factors for sustainable shrimp farming in Chachoengsao Province by analyzing the physical characteristics of the farming areas. The environmental limitations and the potential of these areas were taken into consideration. The objectives of this research were to 1) study the current shrimp farming practice in Chachoengsao Province, shrimp production process and its problems, 2) study the physical characteristics of the shrimp farming areas in terms of geography, soil and water properties and their locations, road and canal network, 3) analyze the limitations and the potential of the areas to determine which spatial factors were appropriate for sustainable shrimp farming in this province. The research question was what the characteristics of appropriate spatial factors for sustainable shrimp farming in Chachoensao Province were. The research methodology included 1) a field survey, 2) spatial data analysis based on Modified Sieve Analysis and 3) in-depth interviews of prominent figures in this field. It was found that the important factors influencing the sustainable shrimp farming in Chachoengsao Province could be classified into 2 categories: - the factors which promoted physical potential of the farming and the factors which were ecological limitations. The former included the geographical aspects, locations, water properties, soil properties and road network while the latter covered environmental protection zone and preserved natural water sources. As a result, when the two factors were taken into consideration, the areas which were suitable for raising shrimps were those near the Gulf and along the Bang Pakong River. It can be concluded that the aforementioned two factors were appropriate spatial factors for sustainable shrimp farming. Plus, at present, shrimp farm management standard has been in effect. If the farmers follow such standard and take the two factors into consideration, they will be able to raise shrimps in a sustainable manner and will not harm the ecology of those areas.