Is the future of aquaculture certified? : an economic and environmental comparison between ASC certified and non-certified shrimp farms in the Mekong Delta

Aquaculture is the fastest growing market in the food sector when compared to other much older terrestrial farming practices, which are a very unexperienced farming technique. Knowledge and technology for aquaculture are developing fast but are lagging behind in implementation in developing countries which have the biggest farming output. A promising tool to create globally a sustainable growth of this sector are international certificates. In this research, one of these certificates is analyzed for its environmental and social sustainability, as well as for its economic aspects. Certified farms and non-certified farms were tested for their sustainability by analyzing the responses to questionnaires that were handed out to farmers. The economic aspect was examined by conducting a cost benefit analysis for certified and non-certified farms. In the end, it became clear that there are no significant economic advantages or disadvantages from getting certified, but the environmental impact as well as the social responsibility for employees and the local area are increased