The objectives of this study were: 1) to compare and contrast the effects of variations in natural densities of two common freshwater predators of crustacean zooplankton, Chaoborus spp. and Mysis relicta; and 2) to determine whether the combined impacts of these predators together differed from their effects when alone. In deep (>10m) mesocosms, additions of Chaoborus and Mysis at natural densities did not result in large changes in zooplankton abundances, lengths, or biomass. Significant decreases in abundance were observed only for Bosmina longirostris and Daphnia spp. In small (~20L) enclosures, higher predator densities caused zooplankton declines over three days. Strong interactive effects between Chaoborus and Mysis were not detected in either the large or small enclosures. This suggests that the combined effects of these two predators can be predicted from their effects determined in isolation.

This research explores the link between a gravity model and welfare frameworks and then applies the quantitative model system to analyze how trade and welfare is affected by the Minimum Required Performance Limits (MRPL) in the shrimp importing market of European Union. The quantitative model system consists of two parts: first, this study uses the “phi-ness” gravity model to investigate the trade effects of MRPL on EU shrimp market. The “phi-ness” gravity model partitions the standard variables to avoid biased estimation caused by the correlation between time and country fixed effects and policy variables. The Poisson Pseudo Maximum Likelihood (PPML) method is incorporated into the estimation in order to control for the zero valued observations. Second, based on the theoretic foundation of the gravity model, this research sets up the specific nested Constant Elasticity of Substitution (CES) model of consumers’ utility and further explores the linkage between these two models. The nested CES model incorporates the effects of MRPL on consumers’ confidence in domestic food as well as foreign food imported from developed and developing countries. The empirical results confirm a consistent fact with previous empirical studies: stricter MRPL has significant and negative effects on trade integration between EU and trading partners with lower level of food safety standards. The welfare analysis shows that the zero tolerance policy of MRPL standard would dramatically enhance consumers’ demand for domestic shrimps and foreign shrimps imported from developed countries but reduce the quantity of shrimp supplied from developing countries. It is also indicated that the increased level of MRPL lead to an increase in welfare of domestic consumers, suppliers in developing countries, and in total international trade, as well as a decrease in the welfare of domestic suppliers and foreign suppliers from developed countries. The empirical results also indicate that the combination of GM and Welfare Approach can also be applied to research on other standards or other industries.

The objectives of this study were: 1) to compare and contrast the effects of variations in natural densities of two common freshwater predators of crustacean zooplankton, Chaoborus spp. and Mysis relicta; and 2) to determine whether the combined impacts of these predators together differed from their effects when alone. In deep (>10m) mesocosms, additions of Chaoborus and Mysis at natural densities did not result in large changes in zooplankton abundances, lengths, or biomass. Significant decreases in abundance were observed only for Bosmina longirostris and Daphnia spp. In small (~20L) enclosures, higher predator densities caused zooplankton declines over three days. Strong interactive effects between Chaoborus and Mysis were not detected in either the large or small enclosures. This suggests that the combined effects of these two predators can be predicted from their effects determined in isolation.

Copies of author's previously published articles inserted. / Bibliography : leaves 201-217. / ix, 216 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Concentrates on the settlement and nursery stages of the life history of Panaeus latisulcatus over a seven year history. Key nursery areas within the Gulf of St. Vincent were monitored between October 1989 and June 1996. It was determined that the best sampling technique was the use of a fully enclosed jet net. A mean index of abundance calculated from these trawls was used to estimate the relative abundance in the area sampled. No particular trend in post larval settlement patterns and juvenile abundance was obvious. A longer time frame may be required to observe significant changes in this species. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Environmental Biology, 1999

Copies of author's previously published articles inserted. / Bibliography : leaves 201-217. / ix, 216 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Concentrates on the settlement and nursery stages of the life history of Panaeus latisulcatus over a seven year history. Key nursery areas within the Gulf of St. Vincent were monitored between October 1989 and June 1996. It was determined that the best sampling technique was the use of a fully enclosed jet net. A mean index of abundance calculated from these trawls was used to estimate the relative abundance in the area sampled. No particular trend in post larval settlement patterns and juvenile abundance was obvious. A longer time frame may be required to observe significant changes in this species. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Environmental Biology, 1999

The Mount Somers Volcanic Group (MSVG) and Mandamus Igneous Complex (MIC) are the magmatic manifestations of the transition from convergence to extension at the Gondwana margin, which culminated in the separation of New Zealand from Australia and Antarctica. The MIC has been correlated both geochemically and temporally with the Central Marlborough Igneous Province (CMIP). The MSVG and CMIP are located in the Eastern Province of New Zealand. The MSVG is restricted to the Rakaia terrane, whereas the CMIP is restricted to the Pahau terrane. The Rakaia and Pahau terranes are thick accretionary complexes, which were strongly deformed as a result of prolonged subduction at the Gondwana margin. The Pahau terrane is the younger of the two and continued to be deposited and deformed until the abrupt cessation of subduction, which in the Marlborough sedimentary record occurred in the Motuan (100 - 105 Ma). Following the cessation of subduction, after an interval of 2-7 Ma of relative quiescence and subsidence of the Pahau terrane, the MSVG and MIC were erupted/emplaced. The production of MSVG and MIC magmas occurred simultaneously and the activity was of short-lived duration. SHRIMP geochronology yielded crystallisation ages of 97.0 ± 1.5 Ma to 98.0 ± 1.2 Ma from zircons separated from MSVG rhyolites. The SHRIMP ages are within error of the previously published Rb-Sr age for the MIC. The SHRIMP geochronology also confirmed the presence of inherited zircons which yielded ages consistent with their derivation from the Rakaia terrane. Ar-Ar geochronology confirmed the coeval nature of the MSVG and MIC magmatism, but yielded consistently younger ages (94.5 ± 3 Ma for the MSVG and 94.2 ± 1.7 Ma for the MIC). The systematic differences in ages obtained by SHRIMP and Ar-Ar are believed to be method-dependent. The MSVG comprises a calc-alkaline volcanic assemblage, which ranges in composition from basaltic-andesite lavas (SiO₂ = 54.5%) to high-silica rhyolites and ignimbrites (SiO₂ ≤ 78.1%). The MSVG had an original extent of at least 18 000 km². The magmas from the MSVG had high LILE/HFSE, high LILE/REE and moderately high LREE/HFSE which are characteristic of subduction derived magmas. Geochemical modelling suggests that the MSVG magmas were formed from partial melting of a subduction-modified mantle wedge, with high degrees of crustal assimilation. The assimilant had an isotopic composition similar to that of the Rakaia terrane, which is consistent with the geological setting of the MSVG. The MSVG has ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sri from 0.7055 to 0.7100 and ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Ndi from 0.51254 to 0.51230 (ɛNd +0.5 to -4.2), which reflects varying degrees of contamination by Rakaia terrane. Radiogenic isotope modelling suggests that the MSVG end-members were derived from the same parent magma, which evolved through AFC processes from basaltic-andesite to rhyolite. The modelling strongly suggests that assimilation played a lesser role in the petrogenesis of the Malvern Hills magmas than in the petrogenesis of the other units. AFC modelling requires the degree of assimilation to increase as the magmas evolved. Oxygen isotope data are consistent with high degrees of crustal assimilation, and may indicate that the assimilant had higher ¹⁸O characteristics than the Rakaia terrane samples analysed. The MIC is an alkaline suite which ranges in composition from basalt and gabbro to syenite, trachyte and phono-tephrite. The MIC is interpreted to have formed from enriched asthenospheric mantle, with a composition similar to HIMU (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pbi ranges from 19.2 to 20.3). The samples range in isotopic composition from ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sri = 0.7030 to 0.7036, ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Ndi = 0.51275 to 0.51268 (ɛNd +4.6 to +3.3). The range in isotopic composition is due to varying degrees of contamination by Pahau terrane, which reaches a maximum of 25% but in most samples is < 10%. The MIC is contaminated to a much lesser extent than the MSVG which is interpreted to be related to the thinner nature of the Pahau crust in the mid-Cretaceous. The latest phases of activity in the MIC were subjected to lower degrees of contamination which is interpreted to reflect the passage of magmas through pre-existing pathways. The onset of MSVG and CMIP magmatism coincided with the initiation of major rift-related depositional basins, and the eruption of the MSVG is demonstrably associated with normal faulting. The tectonic trigger responsible for the sudden onset of magmatism and rifting in the Eastern Province terranes was the detachment of the previously subducting slab following the cessation of subduction due to the arrival of the Hikurangi Plateau at the margin and the subsequent stalling of the Pacific spreading centre. The capture of the Gondwana margin led to the propogation of extension into the margin by the divergent Pacific plate. The ensuing extension aided the detachment of the subducting slab beneath the Eastern Province terranes. The slab-detachment promoted decompression melting of the sub-lithospheric mantle wedge to produce the MSVG magmas and triggered the ascent of asthenospheric mantle through the slab window, which melted through decompression to produce the CMIP magmatism. The asthenospheric mantle tapped by the slab detachment episode was highly enriched relative to N-MORB and is akin to the similar age HIMU-OIB affinity melts documented from Antarctica and Australia. The short-lived duration of activity is typical of slab-detachment related magmatism which occurs as a passive response to plate reconfiguration. The similarity in geochemistry of the MIC with OIB-affinity igneous centres in Australia and Antarctica implies an enriched mantle domain of large geographical extent. The distribution of relatively small volumes of OIB magmatism is suggestive of a fossil plume component, which was tapped in response to lithospheric extension producing relatively short-lived HIMU magmatism. The same fossil plume component has previously been implicated in the formation of the Cenozoic West Antarctic Rift System and may be responsible for the late Cretaceous magmatism in the Chatham Islands and Tertiary volcanics of the South Island of New Zealand.

In the Pilgangoora Belt of the Pilbara Craton, Australia, the 3517 Ma Coonterunah Group and 3484-3468 Ma Carlindi granitoids underlie the 3458 Ma Warrawoona Group beneath an erosional unconformity, thus providing evidence for ancient emergent continental crust. The basalts either side of the unconformity are remarkably similar, with N-MORB-normalised enrichment factors for LILE, Th, U and LREE greater than those for Ta, Nb, P, Zr, Ti, Y and M-HREE, and initial e(Nd, Hf) compositions which systematically vary with Sm/Nd, Nb/U and Nb/La ratios. Geological and geochemical evidence shows that the Warrawoona Group was erupted onto continental basement, and that these basalts assimilated small amounts of Carlindi granitoid. As the Coonterunah basalts have similar compositions, they probably formed likewise, although they were deposited >60 myr before. Indeed, such a model may be applicable to most other early Pilbara greenstone successions, and so an older continental basement was probably critical for early Pilbara evolution. The geochemical, geological and geophysical characteristics of the Pilbara greenstone successions can be best explained as flood basalt successions deposited onto thin, submerged continental basement. This magmatism was induced by thermal upwelling in the mantle, although the basalts themselves do not have compositions which reflect derivation from an anomalously hot mantle. The Carlindi granitoids probably formed by fusion of young garnet-hornblende-rich sialic crust induced by basaltic volcanism. Early Archaean rocks have Nd-Hf isotope compositions which indicate that the young mantle had differentiated into distinct isotopic domains before 4.0 Ga. Such ancient depletion was associated with an increase of mantle Nb/U ratios to modern values, and hence this event probably reflects the extraction of an amount of continental crust equivalent to its modern mass from the primitive mantle before 3.5 Ga. Thus, a steady-state model of crustal growth is favoured whereby post ~4.0 Ga continental additions have been balanced by recycling back into the mantle, with no net global flux of continental crust at modern subduction zones. It is also proposed that the decoupling of initial e(Nd) and e(Hf) from its typical covariant behaviour was related to the formation of continental crust, perhaps by widespread formation of TTG magmas.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-04-17T14:49:23Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 ArquivoTotal.pdf: 1254323 bytes, checksum: 6acc00404bdf28b53693a7553204b077 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-02-26 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / After despesca shrimp is highly perishable, with a shelf life limited due to the occurrence of melanosis and microbial contamination. The melanosis is triggered by a biochemical mechanism that oxidizes phenols to quinones by the enzyme polyphenol oxidase (PPO). Quinones in turn react non-enzymatically with other compounds forming dark melanin pigments responsible for melanosis. Although not damaging to consumer health, melanosis dramatically reduces the commercial value of the shrimp. The aim of this study was to evaluate the enzymatic activity of PPO shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei subjected to freezing, modified atmosphere and cooling in ice for their respective stores. Samples were obtained in trading environment, packed and transported to the Laboratory of Technology and Processing Meat and Fish (LTPCP / DEA / UFPB). The products were made from whole shrimp and subsequently submitted to the following treatments: the domestic freezer (-18 ± 1 ° C) - FREEZER; tunnel freezing at (-35 ° C) - TUNNEL, liquid nitrogen (-86 ° C) - NITROGEN; cooling on ice - ICE; Modified Atmosphere (75% CO2 / 25% O2) - AM1, Modified Atmosphere (25% CO2 / 75% O2) - AM2 and Vacuum Packaging - VOID. The samples were stored subjected to freezing (-18 ° C) for 90 days, and the samples cooled on ice and modified atmosphere were stored for 9 days. The vacuum packaging liquid nitrogen and were more effective in inhibiting PPO activity, and delayed melanosis during storage. The color parameters pH, shear force and water activity have changed over time, both in frozen samples as in chilled. / Após a despesca o camarão é muito perecível, com vida de prateleira limitada, devido à melanose e contaminação microbiológica. A melanose é desencadeada por um mecanismo bioquímico que oxida fenóis a quinonas pela enzima polifenoloxidase (PPO). As quinonas por sua vez, reagem não enzimáticamente com outros compostos formando melaninas pigmentos escuros, responsável pela melanose. Apesar de não causar danos à saúde do consumidor, a melanose reduz drasticamente o valor comercial do camarão. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a atividade enzimática da PPO do camarão Litopenaeus vannamei submetido ao congelamento, atmosfera modificada e ao resfriamento em gelo durante seus respectivos armazenamentos. As amostras foram obtidas em ambiente de comercialização, acondicionadas e transportadas ao Laboratório de Tecnologia e Processamento de Carnes e Pescado (LTPCP/DEA/UFPB). Os produtos foram elaborados a partir de camarões inteiros e posteriormente, submetidos aos seguintes tratamentos: freezer doméstico à (-18 ± 1 °C) FREEZER; túnel de congelamento a (-35 °C) TÚNEL; nitrogênio líquido (-86 °C) NITROGÊNIO; refrigeração em gelo GELO; Atmosfera Modificada (75%CO2 / 25% O2) AM1; Atmosfera Modificada (25%CO2 /75% O2) AM2 e Embalagem a Vácuo VÁCUO. As amostras congeladas foram armazenadas (-18 °C) por 90 dias e as amostras refrigeradas em gelo e atmosfera modificada foram armazenadas durante 9 dias. O nitrogênio líquido e a embalagem a vácuo mostraram-se mais eficácia na inibição da atividade da PPO e no retardamento da melanose durante o período de armazenamento. Quanto aos parâmetros físicos houve uma redução na cor e atividade água e um aumento no pH e força de cisalhamento ao longo do tempo, tanto nas amostras congeladas como nas refrigeradas.

Submitted by Socorro Pontes (socorrop@ufersa.edu.br) on 2017-12-22T13:41:24Z No. of bitstreams: 1 AmbrosioPBJ_TESE.pdf: 1565908 bytes, checksum: 8e51f42daddfb44d1d69d9f37babeec1 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Vanessa Christiane (referencia@ufersa.edu.br) on 2018-02-20T14:29:25Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 AmbrosioPBJ_TESE.pdf: 1565908 bytes, checksum: 8e51f42daddfb44d1d69d9f37babeec1 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Vanessa Christiane (referencia@ufersa.edu.br) on 2018-02-20T14:31:54Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 AmbrosioPBJ_TESE.pdf: 1565908 bytes, checksum: 8e51f42daddfb44d1d69d9f37babeec1 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-02-20T14:32:02Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 AmbrosioPBJ_TESE.pdf: 1565908 bytes, checksum: 8e51f42daddfb44d1d69d9f37babeec1 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-11-27 / Aquaculture studies seem to be basically based on environmental and economic terms in isolation, not considering the interaction of these factors, and rarely taking into account the social costs and benefits involved in the activity, so the objective of this research was to evaluate sustainability economic, environmental and social aspects in the creation of Litopenaeus vannamei shrimp in different management strategies and storage densities. For this purpose, densities of 92 (M1), 14 (M2) and 8 (M3) shrimp.m-2 and with maximum culture time of 79 days. The sedimentation rates, with the exception of total inorganic carbon-TIC and total organic carbon-TOC, were significantly higher in M3 when compared to M1 and M2, in the first collection period, probably influenced by management in the first stage (greenhouse), a tendency of decrease was verified for most of nutrient sedimentation rates for the end of the cycle, and may be associated with the bacterial community that may have aided in the reduction of these compounds. Survival was reduced in all treatments, probably influenced by white spot disease and high water salinity of farms raising the apparent feed conversion factor-FCAA in M1 and M2. The internal rates of return for M2 and M3 were attractive, generating a positive net profit and a positive balance and were able to guarantee the return on invested capital. However, this return on capital only occurred due to the high prices practiced in 2016. The cultivation with high initial population (M1) caused economic and zootechnical losses due to the high FCAAs, reduced individual biomass and the high total operational costs - making this treatment unfeasible. In the social evaluation, an income distribution of the negative order for M1 was verified due to the high costs of production, thus creating losses for this treatment. M2 and M3 presented a reduced income distribution, with a labor compensation of R $ 0.70 and R $ 1.06, respectively, representing 48 and 32% of production costs (COT). The greater distance from the economic dimension to the M1 treatment may be associated with the high RB and COT results. The treatments M2 and M3 were those that presented positive IRR, demonstrating the economic viability, probably due to the high prices per kilo of shrimp practiced during this period. Sustainability was committed by the generation of solid waste, since much of the particulate matter produced in shrimp farms is formed by a collective action of chemicals, fertilizers, excrement, undigested food, unwanted organisms and debris. It is worth noting that the white spot negatively affected the economic and social sustainability of all treatments. M1 was the most favorable environmental treatment with a social tendency. We can conclude that the monoculture of shrimp when carried out with high initial populations can not guarantee the return of invested capital. M2 and M3 were only economically viable due to the high prices paid per kilo of shrimp, but with low employment and income generation, not being socially fair and with greater impact on the environment / Os estudos em aquicultura parecem se pautar basicamente em termos ambientais e econômicos de forma isolada, não considerando a interação destes fatores, e raramente levando em considerações os custos e benefícios sociais envolvidos na atividade, desta forma o objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar a sustentabilidade econômica, ambiental e social na criação do camarão marinho Litopenaeus vannamei em diferentes estratégias de manejo e densidades de estocagem. Para tanto foram utilizadas densidades de 92 (M1), 14 (M2) e 8 (M3) cam.m-2 e com tempo máximo de cultivo de 79 dias. As taxas de sedimentação, com exceção do carbono inorgânico total-CIT e carbono orgânico total-COT, foram significativamente superiores em M3 quando comparado a M1 e M2 no primeiro período de coleta, provavelmente influenciadas pelo manejo na primeira fase (estufa). Foi verificado uma tendência de decréscimo para a maioria das taxas de sedimentação de nutrientes para o final do ciclo, podendo estar associada a comunidade bacteriana que pode ter auxiliado na redução desses compostos. As sobrevivências foram reduzidas em todos os tratamentos, provavelmente influenciadas pela doença da mancha branca e a elevada salinidade da água dos viveiros de criação elevando o FCAA em M1 e M2. As taxas internas de retorno para M2 e M3 foram atrativas, gerando lucro e saldo positivo para o valor presente líquido e conseguiram garantir o retorno do capital investido. Esse retorno do capital, no entanto, somente ocorreu devido aos preços elevados praticados em 2016. O cultivo com população inicial elevada (M1), ocasionou prejuízos econômicos e zootécnicos devido aos elevados FCAAs, biomassa individual reduzida e aos elevados custos totais operacionais-CTO, tornando inviável esse tratamento. Na avaliação social foi verificada uma distribuição de renda da ordem negativa para M1 em função dos elevados custos de produção, configurando prejuízos para esse tratamento. M2 e M3 apresentaram distribuição de renda reduzida, sendo a remuneração da mão de obra de R$ 0,70 e R$ 1,06 respectivamente, representando 48 e 32% dos custos de produção (CTO). O maior distanciamento da dimensão econômica para o tratamento M1 pode estar associado aos resultados elevados com RB e CTO. Os tratamentos M2 e M3 foram os que apresentaram TIR positiva, demonstrando a viabilidade econômica, provavelmente em função dos preços elevados por quilo de camarão praticados nesse período. A sustentabilidade foi comprometida pela geração de resíduos sólidos, visto que grande parte do material particulado produzido em viveiros de camarão é formada por uma ação coletiva de produtos químicos, fertilizantes, excrementos, alimentos não digeridos, organismos indesejados e detritos. Vale salientar ainda que, a mancha branca comprometeu negativamente a sustentabilidade econômica e social de todos os tratamentos. M1 foi o tratamento mais favorável ambiental com tendência para o social. Podemos concluir que o monocultivo de camarão quando realizado com elevadas populações inicias não consegue garantir o retorno do capital investido. M2 e M3 só foram viáveis economicamente em função dos preços elevados pagos por quilo de camarão, porém com reduzida geração de emprego e renda, não sendo socialmente justo e com maior impacto ao meio ambiente / 2017-12-22

A carcinicultura potiguar está sob forte pressão das organizações governamentais e principalmente não governamentais, que associam a destruição de ambientes naturais à expansão das áreas de produção de camarão. Este trabalho visa caracterizar e avaliar o setor de carcinicultura no Rio Grande do Norte, identificando a dinâmica econômica, social e ambiental do setor, a partir da análise da conduta econômica, social e ambiental, frente às pressões da estrutura de mercado em que operam. Para isso, utiliza o modelo ECP-Triplo de estrutura, conduta e performance, onde as empresas submetidas a pressões econômicas, sociais e ambientais em sua estrutura industrial adotam uma conduta econômica, social e ambiental para obter resultados também tríplices na performance econômica, ambiental e social. Foi realizada uma pesquisa quali-quantitativa, por meio da aplicação de um questionário estruturado e entrevistas. O questionário foi aplicado em 21 empresas nas zonas homogêneas das regiões Agreste, Mossoroense, Litoral Norte e Litoral Oriental do estado do Rio Grande do Norte. A pesquisa coletou dados junto a proprietários, diretores, gerentes e responsáveis por unidades de laboratório de pós-larva, fazendas de engorda e processamento / beneficiamento que compõem os principais elos da cadeia produtiva do camarão cultivado. A análise dos resultados demonstra que a indústria de cultivo de camarões no Rio Grande do Norte apresenta a maior produção no Brasil, porém, ainda falta a aplicação de condutas econômicas, sociais e ambientais adequadas para suportar as pressões da estrutura da indústria. Conclui-se que a descapitalização do setor, a demora na concessão das licenças necessárias para a implantação e ampliação das fazendas, a falta de incentivos governamentais, a pressão por parte das organizações não governamentais, a falta de ambiente cooperativo entre as empresas, a ausência de políticas públicas de incentivo à produção, os juros altos e a elevada carga tributária são alguns dos fatores que vêm prejudicando o desenvolvimento da carcinicultura no estado do Rio Grande do Norte. As instituições de pesquisa, juntamente com a Associação Brasileira de Criadores de Camarão (ABCC) e os governos federal, estadual e municipal precisam definir uma forma de exploração sustentável do ecossistema manguezal e elaborar políticas ambientais específicas para a carcinicultura. Enfim, é necessária, a implantação e utilização de uma conduta ambiental e socialmente responsável como estratégia para que a carcinicultura potiguar alcance níveis de excelência e prosperidade, mantendo uma vantagem competitiva permanente. / The shrimp aquaculture produced from Rio Grande do Norte have been under pressure by governmental and non-governmental organizations, which associate the natural environment destruction to the expansion of shrimps’productive areas. This work aims to characterizer and evaluate the aquaculture shrimp sector in Rio Grande do Norte, identifying the economic, social and environmental dynamic of this sector, based on the analysis of the economic, social and environmental conduct, front to the pressures of the market’s structure in which it operates. To do this analysis, this work used the Triple-SCP model of structure, conduct and performance, in which companies under economic, environmental and social pressure in its industrial structure follow an economic, environmental and social conducts to obtain triple results in the economic, environmental and social performance. In this research a qualitative and quantitative methodologies have been done and it applied structural questionnaires and did some interviews. The questionnaire was applied to 21 companies in homogeneous zones from the region of Agreste, Mossoroense, Litoral Norte and Litoral Oriental from Rio Grande do Norte State. The corpus was collected and the participants were owners, directors and managers responsible for the worm laboratory, fattening farming and processing which set the link of the preserved shrimp productive chain. The analysis shows that the shrimp aquaculture industry in Rio Grande do Norte has the major production in Brazil, however, it’s missing the adequated application of economic, social and environmental conducts to support the structure of the industry’s pressure. To conclude, we suggest that the sector’s descapitalization, the licenses’delay necessary to the farming implementation and expansion, the missing of governmental incentive and the pressure of non-governmental organizations, the missing of cooperative environment among companies, and the absence of public politics to motivate the production, the high interest and raised tributive are some of the reasons that have damaged the development of shrimp aquaculture in the Rio Grande do Norte State. Researches Institutions as well as Brazilian Shrimp Farmers Association (ABCC) and the Federal, State and Municipal Governments should define a way for a sustainable exploration of the mangrove systems and elaborate a specific environmental politic to shrimp aquaculture. It´s necessary to implement the environmental utilization and social conducts as strategies to the shrimp aquaculture in the Rio Grande do Norte to reach levels of excellence and prosperity, as well as to sustain a permanent competitive advantage.