Shrimp farming is a minor cause of loss. Only a fraction of shrimp farms have been developed on mangrove land. Shrimp farming began as early as the 15th century, when coastal mangrove areas in Indonesia were converted into intertidal ponds. Conversion of mangrove areas accelerated during the 1980s, when shrimp farming underwent rapid growth. We now know that mangrove lands are not well suited for shrimp ponds, due to low elevation, acid soils, and high construction costs.
Recent trends are toward more intensive farms constructed on higher ground.
The practice of removing mangroves to build shrimp farms has by and large stopped. Foreign governments have recognized that this practice, once thought acceptable, was not improving the environment. They have taken alternate steps in developing their aquaculture practices. Considerable pressure from the world community helped improve this situation. Further, in 1997, the Global Aquaculture Alliance commissioned an international study by leading mangrove experts.