4. Discussion
Our results show that there are important differences in biomass yields associated with management schemes for intensive production of L. vannamei. The use of small ponds during winter cycles is important because it allows farmers to obtain larger final weight of shrimp ( Table 2). This helps compensate for the lower production that normally occurs during the winter compared with summer. High stocking density, on the other hand, appears to be the more convenient way to increase yields during the more favorable conditions of summer production cycles. Starting time of aeration played a minor role in determining shrimp production in both seasons.