Size economies and optimal scheduling in shrimp production: results from acomputer simulation model

This paper describes a computer simulation model developed to analyze the e conomics of shrimp production under different stocking regimes, harvesting schedules, and farm sizes. The operation examined is 'closed-market' where all stages of production occur on-site, and the final product, adult shrimp , are sold in the market. The model was parameterized using existing market data and secondary production data collected from experimental units at th e Oceanic Institute in Hawaii. Results indicated that a weekly stocking and harvesting regime is more profitable than either a biweekly or 8-week stoc king and harvesting regime. Scale economics indicated that the minimum farm size is twenty-six growout ponds and the optimal farm size is 64 growout p onds. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.