An Inexpensive and Simple Raceway Design¹

Intensive aquaculture systems tend to require a large capital investment and be relatively complicated to manufacture or construct with the result that a particular application may be unprofitable or difficult to implement. Raceways have been developed in Kuwait utilizing reinforced plastic liners supported by a wooden railing. Shrimp ( Penaeus semisulcatus ) were raised in these raceways in order to assess the system. The design allows for easy maintenance, observation and harvest. In addition, the simplicity of the concept assures low material, construction and manpower costs, requiring neither a building contractor nor special tools. A 3.0 m wide raceway of this design costs approximately US$ 17 m ‐2 in Kuwait. This paper describes the raceway design and construction techniques, and compares the cost with other materials and systems in Kuwait. The results of shrimp rearing trials are discussed with regard to the durability, management and biological compatibility of the design.