Brazil is a relative newcomer to farmed shrimp production. The industry has grown exponentially since the late 1990s, with production of 3,600 tonnes in 1997 escalating to 90,000 tonnes by 2003. By 2004, shrimp farms covered more than 16,500 hectares which, coupled with relatively high yields per hectare, contributed to Brazil's position as one of the most prominent players on the world scene. However these production figures are coupled with serious environmental impacts and threats to the livelihoods of traditional communities.

The Northeast region of Brazil is responsible for 92% of farmed shrimp production. The principle producing states being: Rio Grande do Norte, Ceará, Bahia, Pernambuco, Paraiba and Piauí. Regulation, habitats and biodiversity, coastal activities and even the style of shrimp farming differ between states, and result in a complex setting in which to address impacts and promote sustainability of shrimp aquaculture.

Overall, the shrimp farming industry has been, and still is, an undeniable source of negative impact upon the ecosystems and communities in the areas in which it operates. The exact number of shrimp farms is unknown due to the existence of illegal companies, making evaluation of impacts and resolution of conflicts with local communities even more difficult. Alarmingly, results of a study by the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA) released in June 2005 show that, in the case of Ceará, almost 80% of the state's shrimp farms operate irregularly.