Shrimp Farming in Brazil: An Industry Overview - Library - Network of ...

Income Tax Reduction
Start-up companies: industrial or agricultural companies established within SUDENE’s jurisdiction can
take advantage of an income tax reduction policy for a period of 10 years, limited to the following
reduction percentages. This benefit is also available for companies wishing to expand or modernize their
operating facilities or to diversify their production line.
• From 1998 to 2003: 75%
• From 2004 to 2008: 50%
• From 2009 to 2013: 25%
Existing companies: benefits industrial or agricultural companies operating in SUDENE´s jurisdiction,
with an income tax due value reduction until 2013, with the following reduction percentages.
• From 1998 to 2003: 37.5%
• From 2004 to 2008: 25.0%
• From 2009 to 2013: 12.5%
Reinvestment
Existing companies: benefits industrial, agricultural, and construction companies, operating within
SUDENE´s jurisdiction. This provision allows the reinvestment of portions of income tax owed, as long as
the funds come from the company’s own earnings (50% of the tax reduction may be reinvested), in order
to modernize or add equipment. This provision also applies until 2013, with the following percentages
allowed
• From 1998 to 2003: 30%
• From 2004 to 2008: 20%
• From 2009 to 2013: 10%
Sources: Banco do Nordeste (Northeast Bank), BNDES (National Development Bank), and STEN
(Economic and Technical Services Ltd.).
Desirable Management Practices
Shrimp farming is a highly technical activity that requires careful management practices both to increase
productivity and to avoid contamination. Recommended control and management practices are primarily
intended to provide adequate nutrients for the cultured animals and to reduce contamination of effluent
water. Measures include mechanical aeration, water exchange, chemical and biological treatments, and the
application of food to supplement the cultured animal’s diet.
In general, on-farm management practices are made more difficult by the dynamic nature of the
aquaculture system. Although many interactions that occur daily in confined systems have been described,
they have not yet been completely quantified. As a result, for example, the exact amount of feed to
administer to a shrimp pond or a fish cage when water quality conditions are below the optimal, or when
the biomass of naturally occurring food organisms is depleted, is unknown. Ideal stocking densities (i.e.,
the biomass of animal per volume unit of culture area) may also vary in a culture site, depending on biotic
or abiotic factors (e.g., phytoplankton productivity and water exchange rates). Increased feed inputs or
excessive stocking densities can potentially exceed the maximum carrying capacity of the culture
environment, leading to the generation of excessive aquaculture waste and other environmental damage
(Nunes 2000).
Pond Construction
Brazil has along its coast from Bahia up to Pará state huge land reserves that are suitable for marine
shrimp farming. There are perhaps 50,000 ha of old salt flats available, and even more hectares of
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