Reviewing Effluent and Estuarine Water Quality in View of Introducing Effluent Standards for Coastal Aquaculture in Sri Lanka

Coastal aquaculture commenced in the 1980’s in Sri Lanka with the shrimp farming industry. The major coastal aquaculture activity even at present is shrimp culture. However, it has caused pollution in the coastal areas due to its untreated effluents being discharged to coastal water bodies. Although effluent treatment prior to release is recommended, it is not practiced. The pollution caused by the industry has not only affected the other aquatic organisms, but has affected the industry itself through disease spread.