Application of Analytical Network Process (ANP) for Prioritize Shrimp Culture Sites

The aim of this paper is to present an evolution method to prioritize and select appropriate shrimp culture sites in south coasts of Iran based on their vulnerability to flood damage. The Analytic Network Process (ANP) was applied to this problem. Analytic Network Process (ANP), is a mathematical extension of the AHP theory based on the super matrix approach. This method is a flexible analytical approach thatenables decision makers to find the best possible solutions to complex problems by breaking down a problem into a systematic network of the various levels and attributes. One of the major advantages of this method is that it considers the interrelations between different levels of decision as well as the interconnection of the decisions in one level. Accordingly in this study the vulnerability of the sites to flood damage is analyzed based on the different flood attributes along with the relative significance of those factors. This is being override in conventional decision making methods such as AHP. In this study the alternatives are prioritized based on a feed-back interrelated decision structure.