Expansion of aquaculture in the Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve (SBR) is irreversibly replacing agricultural land and the drivers of this change are disputed. Based on in-depth interviews with 67 aquaculture farmers, this paper characterizes major aquaculture types in the SBR, their impacts, and identifies drivers of conversion from agricultural land. Aquaculture types included traditional, improved-traditional, modified-extensive, and semi-intensive systems. Extensive capture of wild shrimp larvae is environmentally harmful but constitutes an important livelihood. Semi-intensive aquaculture of exotic shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) has much higher unit-area profitability than other types but involves greater financial risk. Profitability is the main driver for the transition from agriculture, but environmental factors such as lowered crop yields and cyclone impacts also contributed. Many conversions from agriculture to aquaculture are illegal according to the stakeholders. Existing legislation, if enforced, could halt the loss of agriculture, while the promotion of improved-traditional aquaculture could reduce the demand for wild seed.

孙德尔本斯生物圈保护区 (SBR) 水产养殖的扩张正在不可逆转地取代农业用地，这种变化的驱动因素存在争议。基于对 67 位水产养殖户的深入访谈，本文描述了 SBR 中的主要水产养殖类型及其影响，并确定了农业用地转变的驱动因素。水产养殖类型包括传统、改良传统、改良粗养和半精养系统。广泛捕获野生虾幼虫对环境有害，但构成重要的生计。外来对虾（南美白对虾）半精养) 的单位面积盈利能力远高于其他类型，但涉及更大的财务风险。盈利能力是农业转型的主要驱动力，但作物产量下降和飓风影响等环境因素也有影响。根据利益相关者的说法，许多从农业到水产养殖的转变都是非法的。现有立法如果得到执行，可以阻止农业的损失，而促进改良的传统水产养殖可以减少对野生种子的需求。