The economic viability for the production of live baits of White Shrimp (Litopenaeus schmitti) in recirculation culture system

Sportfishing is a growing segment in the fishing sector, which requires the supply of marine shrimps to meet the demand for live baits; however, the extraction of white shrimp from their natural habitat results in overfishing depleting natural stocks. Intensive cultivation in water recirculation system is a worldwide trend for shrimp farming, which, in addition to increasing productivity, minimizes the impact of effluent emission on the environment, reinforcing sustainability. This study analyzed the economic viability of establishing farms for the cultivation of white shrimp (Litopenaeus schmitti) in water recirculation system to meet the market demand of sportfishing for live baits. The indicators were used: internal rate of return (IRR), net present value (NPV) and payback period (PP). The best scenario, with 90 % survival rate and unitary selling prices of US$ 0.50, showed IRR 11.74 %, NPV (10 %) US$ 1,241.88 and PP 5.71 years, demonstrating financial risk for the production of live baits in the conditions proposed in this study.