798
H. L. Koh and S. Y. Teh
dents and educators in SHE to utilize their SLO and SCC in seeking holistic and
action-oriented solution.
Effluent waters from modern intensive shrimp aquaculture contain elevated levels of pollutants such as biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), phosphorus, ammonia, nitrate, and organics (Flaherty et al. 2000). These environmental hazards must
be managed properly with low-energy and low-maintenance technology (SDG7) if
shrimp aquaculture is to achieve sustainability. Constructed wetlands or sedimentation ponds of adequate capacity have been shown to be capable of significantly
reducing levels of these pollutants. Modern shrimp farms typically use aerators to
maintain appropriate dissolved oxygen (DO) levels. Natural reaeration is insufficient
to maintain DO at levels above 5 mg/L because of the high shrimp density, exceeding 5 kg/m
3 , and low rate of water exchange. Well-managed shrimp farms can yield
20–30 metric tons per ha per crop of three months, with power consumption of up
to 30 hp per ha needed to maintain adequate aeration. On a per hectare basis, shrimp
farming appears to be more productive than cattle farming. However, both create
their own share of environmental hazards and tradeoff, which is beyond the scope of
this paper.
Discharge of effluents from intensive aquaculture farms into a river can pollute the
receiving river and exert negative impacts on the aquatic ecosystem. A large shrimp
farm of 1000 ha divided into 630 ponds of 1 hectare each was established along the
estuarine river known as Sg Setiu in the state of Terengganu, Malaysia. The farm
was a subject of significant consultation among multiple stakeholders such as local
communities, NGOs, the authors and government agencies in charge of the environment and rivers. The critical review was mandated by the Environmental Impact
Assessment Regulation under the Malaysia Environmental Act 1974. The review
critically evaluated options and tradeoffs to achieve a holistic solution. Revolving
around several SDGs such as SDGs 1, 2, 6, 8, 14 and 15, the review seeks to achieve
a consensus to holistically balance the three pillars of sustainability consisting of
the environment, economics and society. The resolution of the potential conflicts
between the three pillars demands substantial SLO-based SCC. Technical skills in
water quality simulations in conjunction with effluent management are tools that
were used to address the adverse environmental impact. Holistic STEM skills are
needed to critically evaluate viable options and tradeoffs based upon simulations of
impacts of shrimp farm effluents on the environment (Saremi et al. 2013) and to recommend appropriate mitigation measures. Strategic capability is crucial in guiding
and reaching the desirable outcome of multi-stakeholder engagement. Spirituality,
shaped by cultural values and beliefs, is essential to reflect on and arrive at actionmotivated solution from a multitude of potentially conflicting choices. For water
quality assessment, an in-house two-dimensional water quality simulation model
codenamed TUNA-WQ was used (Chong et al. 2017). With partnership among various STEM disciplines, the model was calibrated and verified with primary and
secondary data on hydrology, meteorology, effluent and river water quality in Sg
Setiu. This project provided invaluable opportunity and experience for students and
H. L. Koh and S. Y. Teh
dents and educators in SHE to utilize their SLO and SCC in seeking holistic and
action-oriented solution.
Effluent waters from modern intensive shrimp aquaculture contain elevated levels of pollutants such as biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), phosphorus, ammonia, nitrate, and organics (Flaherty et al. 2000). These environmental hazards must
be managed properly with low-energy and low-maintenance technology (SDG7) if
shrimp aquaculture is to achieve sustainability. Constructed wetlands or sedimentation ponds of adequate capacity have been shown to be capable of significantly
reducing levels of these pollutants. Modern shrimp farms typically use aerators to
maintain appropriate dissolved oxygen (DO) levels. Natural reaeration is insufficient
to maintain DO at levels above 5 mg/L because of the high shrimp density, exceeding 5 kg/m
3 , and low rate of water exchange. Well-managed shrimp farms can yield
20–30 metric tons per ha per crop of three months, with power consumption of up
to 30 hp per ha needed to maintain adequate aeration. On a per hectare basis, shrimp
farming appears to be more productive than cattle farming. However, both create
their own share of environmental hazards and tradeoff, which is beyond the scope of
this paper.
Discharge of effluents from intensive aquaculture farms into a river can pollute the
receiving river and exert negative impacts on the aquatic ecosystem. A large shrimp
farm of 1000 ha divided into 630 ponds of 1 hectare each was established along the
estuarine river known as Sg Setiu in the state of Terengganu, Malaysia. The farm
was a subject of significant consultation among multiple stakeholders such as local
communities, NGOs, the authors and government agencies in charge of the environment and rivers. The critical review was mandated by the Environmental Impact
Assessment Regulation under the Malaysia Environmental Act 1974. The review
critically evaluated options and tradeoffs to achieve a holistic solution. Revolving
around several SDGs such as SDGs 1, 2, 6, 8, 14 and 15, the review seeks to achieve
a consensus to holistically balance the three pillars of sustainability consisting of
the environment, economics and society. The resolution of the potential conflicts
between the three pillars demands substantial SLO-based SCC. Technical skills in
water quality simulations in conjunction with effluent management are tools that
were used to address the adverse environmental impact. Holistic STEM skills are
needed to critically evaluate viable options and tradeoffs based upon simulations of
impacts of shrimp farm effluents on the environment (Saremi et al. 2013) and to recommend appropriate mitigation measures. Strategic capability is crucial in guiding
and reaching the desirable outcome of multi-stakeholder engagement. Spirituality,
shaped by cultural values and beliefs, is essential to reflect on and arrive at actionmotivated solution from a multitude of potentially conflicting choices. For water
quality assessment, an in-house two-dimensional water quality simulation model
codenamed TUNA-WQ was used (Chong et al. 2017). With partnership among various STEM disciplines, the model was calibrated and verified with primary and
secondary data on hydrology, meteorology, effluent and river water quality in Sg
Setiu. This project provided invaluable opportunity and experience for students and