Aqua Culture Asia Pacific January/February 2025 by Aqua Culture Asia Pacific

Technification at a Farm in Mexico

Artemia Nauplii and Microbiome Management

Managing EHP in Shrimp Farming

Taste Matters in Fish Nutrition

Shrimp: Weak Prices Dampen Growth

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Shrimp: Weak Prices Dampen Growth

Ponds in India. p44 Copyright GalaxEye.

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Volume 21, Number 1 January/February 2025 MDDI (P) 023/10/2024

From the editor

2 The year ahead and a wish list

Industry News

4 Singapore Aquaculture Plan/First ranking for SeaChange® 2030

Shrimp Aquaculture

8 Six years on, at a farm in Mexico

Zuridah Merican talks with Ing Ramsès A Chavez Zazueta on changes at Acuicola 11 de Diciembre S.A.

Hatchery & Nursery

12 The future of vannamei shrimp genetics

A future with genomic advancements, regional adaptability and sustainability practices both economic and environmental resilience. By Natthinee Munkongwongsiri, Chotitat Luengchaichawange, Daniel Fegan and Craig L. Browdy

15 Artemia nauplii and microbiome management: Combining assets to deliver robust post larvae

An interview with I&V BIO’s Rudi Bijnens and Steven Debono from Kytos

19 Enhancing growth and feed conversion

Addressing environmental and health stressors with functional nursery feeds. By Marc Campet

Feed Technology

22 A new horizon in shrimp farming with nutritional EHP management

Ragnhild Dragøy discusses a white paper reviewing the threat of EHP in shrimp and studies on its mitigation via enhancing shrimp resilience with krill meal and oil

25 Taste matters: Exploring the fish gustatory system for overcoming aquaculture challenges

Understanding the role of taste receptors in regulating both feed intake and feeding efficiency is crucial, says Sofia Morais

30 The EHP threat in shrimp aquaculture: Challenges, consequences and prevention

The latest advances in managing EHP,from the laboratory to the pond side. By Sophie Reys, Pierre Fortin and Nicolas Tanrattana

Industry Review-Marine Shrimp

34 “Rise” for Asia’s farmed shrimp industry

Reporting from the dsm-firmenich’s Aquaculture Conference on shrimp supply and demand, HOSO markets, post-harvest quality and pond management.

39 Asian marine shrimp in 2024: Continuous weak prices dampen growth A snapshot on the situation moving forward

42 Insights on shrimp farming in India, Indonesia and Vietnam An overview of the challenges and evolving practices at GSF 2024.

44 India’s farmed shrimp industry today

Fluctuating shrimp prices create financial uncertainty for producers. By Laxmappa Boini, Ravinder Rao Bakshi and M. Gunakar

Innovations

47 An eye in the sky for aquaculture insights Suyash Singh explains how GalaxEye Blue transforms aquaculture interventions

50 A forum in Singapore to uplift and transform the local aquaculture sector AquaTropics Forum 2024 was on “How Science meets Industry”

Show Review

54 Mexican shrimp industry meet in 2024 CONACUA is the leading aquaculture conference and trade show in Mexico

Aqua Culture Asia Pacific is a print and digital magazine. View E-magazine & Download PDF of past issues for free www.aquaasiapac.com

57 Aquaculture and its innovators in Singapore Insightful discussion on digitalisation in aquaculture at the Asia-Pacific Agri-Food Innovation Summit

Zuridah Merican

Happy New Year and best wishes for 2025. Here is a summary of the prognosis for the aquaculture industry and the wish list for each sector.

The shrimp sector will face price uncertainty. Ecuador will still emerge as the largest producer and supply exceeds demand. However, here in Asia, we cannot remain status quo with its mediocre survival rates due to disease.

1. Asia needs to invest in productivity. Improving survival rates from the average 55% to 80% will substantially reduce cost of production. Strategies include health interventions and precision feeding technology. Cost-cutting is only a bandaid solution which does not add value in the long term.

2. Asian farms have gathered loads of data from its failed crops and disease outbreaks, but it is not harnessing them using big data analysis. It is time to try to determine trigger points to forecast impending disease situations. We see such predictability as important for stock insurance leading to more investments.

3. Processing plants must take on an anchor role to continuously buy shrimp from farmers, freeze and

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The year ahead and a wish list

store. This acts as a buffer to price fluctuations in the international markets. This gives farmers confidence to culture all year round giving each country a better supply predictability.

The freshwater fish sector may experience challenges due to increased trade tariffs, as the US has historically been a significant market for pangasius and tilapia. This sector will also see a distinct bifurcation of product for domestic consumption and for export.

4. Logistics costs have increased 3-fold due to the respective problems of the Suez and Panama Canals. Central American countries have an added advantage when supplying the US market. Asia must seek its own proximity advantage - look at China as well as the Asian region as alternative markets.

5. Producer countries must realise that domestic and export consumers of the tilapia require very different product forms –small table-size fresh whole fish versus zero off flavour frozen fillets from larger fish.

The marine fish sector is still searching for a single species to be the ‘tropical salmon.’ The Asian seabass or barramundi shows great promise. Resources should focus on this single species.

6. Asian countries must work together to build an integrated ecosystem. Not all countries have the competitive resources to cover the whole value chain. While Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam have clean waters and the equitable labour costs for farming and processing, Singapore has the financial and knowledge resources to build on the genetics, early-stage feed, and vaccines for disease mitigation. All these countries must work on generic marketing of the species.

The feed sector has changed dramatically over the past two years. Fishmeal prices are on the downtrend

as the South Pacific Ocean experiences ‘La Nina.’ Soybean meal and DDGS will be abundant as coproducts from the biodiesel and ethanol industries.

7. As alternative feed ingredients benchmark themselves against fishmeal, the window for insect meal and single cell proteins is narrowing. This will provoke consolidation and efficiencies to make these products more cost competitive.

8. The push for sustainable feeds from sustainable ingredients will speed in 2025. Carbon footprint data will be added to the feed formulation matrix with LCAs as the major currency.

Other opportunities and threats will include:

9. 2025 will be start of a full year of US AD & CVD duties on imported shrimp. How will Southeast Asia - washing i.e. China using these countries as a manufacturing base benefit the industry. The jury is still out for aquaculture. Will this change the ranking of major export countries?

10. The industry has seen an influx of the younger generation and a vibrant start-up community. They will be more science based and willing to share information. With the tightening of liquidity, Asia will continue to see a strengthening of start-ups with more focus on matching their products and services to the industry but with a lot less hype and hubris.

The aquaculture industry still plays a critical role in the megatrend of providing food for the world’s growing population. Despite the naysayers, there is no credible alternative as relying on wild catch will only mean overfishing and exorbitant prices for seafood.

If you have any comments, please email: zuridah@aquaasiapac.com

Launch of Singapore Aquaculture Plan

F ood security is an existential issue for Singapore. It currently imports more than 90% of its food, which makes the country vulnerable to food supply disruptions due to factors like climate change and disease outbreaks. To ensure its food resilience, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) has committed to support the local agri-food sector to build its capability and capacity to produce food locally.

Singapore’s aquaculture industry is small, comprising 98 sea-based and 33 land-based seafood farms in 2023. Nevertheless, it contributes significantly to local production and fish has been identified as a nutritious source of protein that can be produced efficiently in land scarce Singapore. It faces several challenges including limited sea space, suboptimal water quality, demands to mitigate its impact on the environment, and a limited domestic market with strong import competition.

To address the above challenges, the industry is increasingly adopting innovative and sustainable methods, while keeping to a mix of production systems that are suited to Singapore’s unique constraints. On November 19, Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment Dr Koh Poh Koon launched the Singapore Aquaculture Plan (SAP) to transform the aquaculture sector to be more productive and sustainable.

The SAP is a collaborative year-long effort by two subcommittees formed in November 2023. Consisting of the industry, nature groups, academia, off-takers, and various government agencies, the committees’ work embodies a collective vision for the sector and serves as a roadmap for future aquaculture development in Singapore. The sub-committees have identified innovative approaches to balance sustainability with productivity and to uplift the aquaculture sector, anchored by five pillars.

• Space and Infrastructure Planning: To improve the robustness of site studies to ensure optimal site selection and develop key infrastructure, focusing on sustainable energy solutions and shared facilities.

• Enabling Regulations: Refining regulations to be more outcome-and science-based.

• Research, Innovation, Enterprise: Leveraging on the capabilities and solutions developed within the Marine Aquaculture Centre, the Singapore Food Story R&D Programme and AquaPolis to innovate and undertake collaborative research initiatives.

• Ecosystem Development: Continue to grow local champions, and foster partnerships, especially with technology firms, international aquaculture leaders, and talent pipeline from institutes of higher learning.

• Demand Offtake and Promotion of Local Produce: Continue the efforts to engage public and key stakeholders, while refining marketing and promotional strategies.

SMS Koh also announced the launch of the National Broodstock Centre and the Hatchery Development and Recognition Programme to ensure a consistent supply of superior fingerlings for farms. These initiatives fill a critical gap in the aquaculture sector, reduce the need for imported fingerlings, and offer tangible benefits such as a higher survival rate of fingerlings.

In addition, SFA has also started operations at the Aquaculture Sensing Network to support the aquaculture industry in water quality monitoring and better monitor nutrient discharges from farms. This comprises of a network of water quality sensors at aquaculture zones, complemented by water and sediment sampling. The data produced will provide operational insights on various water quality parameters, giving early warning against environmental threats such as harmful algal blooms. More information: https://go.gov.sg/sappaper19nov24

complemented by water and sediment sampling. The data produced will provide operational insights on various water quality parameters, giving early warning against environmental threats such as harmful algal blooms. More information: https://go.gov.sg/sappaper19nov24

Group photo of SMS Koh and some SAP sub- committee members at the launch of the SAP at SFA’s pavilion at the Agri-Food Tech Expo Asia on 19 November 2024. Photo credit: SFA

Group photo of SMS Koh and some SAP sub-committee members at the launch of the SAP at SFA’s pavilion at the Agri-Food Tech Expo Asia on 19 November 2024. Photo credit: SFA

First ranking for Thai Union’s sustainability strategy

Thailand’s Thai Union Group PCL, the world’s seafood leader, has been ranked number one in the food products industry on the 2024 Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) with a total score of 85 points as of December 23, 2024. This achievement highlights its unwavering dedication to sustainable and responsible business practices under its globally recognised sustainability strategy, SeaChange® 2030.

This marks the 11th consecutive year that Thai Union has been listed on the DJSI, a family of indices evaluating the sustainability performance of thousands of publicly traded companies. The company was previously ranked number one on the Food Products Industry Index of the DJSI in 2018, 2019, and 2022. In the dimensions of Governance & Economic, Environmental, and Social, Thai Union achieved a 100% score. It also achieved the same in sub-dimensions including Transparency & Reporting, Materiality, Risk & Crisis Management, Supply Chain Management, Tax Strategy, Environmental Policy & Management, Biodiversity, Human Rights, and Health & Nutrition.

“Achieving the top spot in the DJSI food industry ranking is an extraordinary honour and a reflection of the collective efforts of our team and stakeholders around the world,” said Thiraphong Chansiri, CEO of Thai Union Group. “At Thai Union, we are not just focused on providing quality seafood to consumers worldwide; we are also committed to protecting our planet and empowering the communities we work with. SeaChange® 2030 continues to be the driving force behind our actions, ensuring that we remain a positive force for change in the industry.”

Stewardship Council Feed Standard certification through Thai Union Feedmill

• Collaborating with the Thai government on a Zero Wastewater Discharge Project, achieving 100% wastewater treatment at the Company’s fish processing plant

• Partnering with Seven Clean Seas and Second Life to tackle plastic pollution through innovative waste reduction solutions

• Implementing a Global Ethical Recruitment Policy to ensure fair, transparent, and professional hiring practices

These efforts are an essential part of SeaChange® 2030, which is built around 11 interconnected goals, including a 42% reduction in Scope 1, 2, and 3 greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, a commitment to net zero by 2050, and a THB 250 million (USD7.3 million) investment in ecosystem restoration and protection.

“This recognition reinforces the tangible impact of our sustainability initiatives and motivates us to aim even higher,” said Adam Brennan, Chief Sustainability and Communications Officer at Thai Union. “SeaChange®2030 is central to our strategy. We ensure that we not only reduce emissions and waste but also address broader challenges such as biodiversity loss, responsible sourcing, and creating equitable workplaces. Our actions today are designed to leave a positive legacy for future generations.”

5 First ranking for Thai Union’s SeaChange® 2030 Thailand’s Thai Union Group PCL, the world’s seafood leader, has been ranked number one in the food products industry on the 2024 Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) with a total score of 85 points as of December 23, 2024. This achievement highlights Thai Union’s unwavering dedication to sustainable and responsible business practices under its globally recognised sustainability strategy, SeaChange® 2030.

Over the past year, Thai Union has continued to make progress in its sustainability initiatives, including:

• Launching the Shrimp Decarbonization Initiative in partnership with The Nature Conservancy and Ahold Delhaize USA to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions within the shrimp supply chain

• Becoming the first in Asia to achieve the Aquaculture

The S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA) evaluates and assesses the sustainability practices of companies globally every year, with more than 3,000 across 62 industries actively participating. The CSA enables companies such as Thai Union to benchmark their performance on a wide range of industry-specific economic, environmental and social criteria that are relevant to sustainability focused investors.

This marks the 11th consecutive year that Thai Union has been listed on the DJSI, a family of indices evaluating the sustainability performance of thousands of publicly traded companies. The company was previously ranked number one on the Food Products Industry Index of the DJSI in 2018, 2019, and 2022. In the dimensions of Governance & Economic, Environmental, and Social, Thai Union achieved a 100th percentile score. The Company also received 100th percentile scores in sub - dimensions including Transparency & Reporting, Materiality, Risk & Crisis Management, Supply Chain Management, Tax Strategy, Environmental Policy & Management, Biodiversity, Human Rights, and Health & Nutrition.

Thai Union’s Seachange® Commitment in aquaculture by 2030 includes 100% farmed shrimp and its feed is produced responsibly, meeting industry credible standards, or is in an improvement program that minimises impact on surrounding ecosystems and 100% of the farms it sources from are a safe and decent workplace. Source: seachangesustainability.org

BASF to sell Food and Health Performance ingredients business to LDC

In December, BASF announced that it has signed a binding agreement to sell its Food and Health Performance Ingredients business, including the production site in Illertissen, Germany, to Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC), a leading global merchant and processor of agricultural goods including high-quality, plant-based ingredients.

BASF’s Food and Health Performance Ingredients portfolio plays a vital role in addressing growing trends in human nutrition. However, the business has limited synergies and integration into BASF and is no longer a strategic focus area.

As part of the agreement, approximately 300 employees are expected to transfer from BASF to LDC as of the closing of the transaction. Both parties have agreed not to disclose financial details of the transaction. Continuous and reliable supplies and business relationships will not be impacted by this transaction.

Michael Heinz, Member of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF SE and responsible for the Nutrition & Health division, said, “Building on our teams’ success to develop this business very well over the last years, LDC as a futureoriented company can offer our employees and the portfolio a promising perspective. The divestment of this business

to LDC supports our strategic portfolio optimization and will allow us to focus on our core businesses in Nutrition & Health. We remain committed to leveraging our core product platforms and expanding our business in key areas such as vitamins, carotenoids, and feed enzymes.”

Michael Gelchie, LDC’s Chief Executive Officer, added, “In line with LDC’s strategic plans for revenue diversification through more value-added products and growth in downstream markets, this agreement is an opportunity to accelerate LDC’s participation in the rapidly growing plantbased ingredients market.

“We are excited about the prospect of this transaction, as LDC’s first investment in dedicated facilities to produce food and health performance ingredients at scale.”

The food and health performance ingredients business includes food performance ingredients such as aeration and whipping agents, food emulsifiers and fat powder grades; health ingredients such as plant sterols esters, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), omega-3 oils for human nutrition and some smaller product lines. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including approval from relevant regulatory bodies.

Uptake of feed certification programme in 2024

In December, Cargill (EWOS) Canada and Mowi Feed in Scotland and Norway were the latest to achieve Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) Feed Certification, proving their strong commitment towards environmental sustainability and social responsibility in their feed operations, said ASC in a press release.

Cargill (EWOS) Canada became the first ASC certified feed company in Canada. Their feed mill, operating out of Surrey, British Columbia, produces feed for a variety of species, including trout, salmon, seabass, seabream, and meagre, seriola, cobia and tilapia. Cargill Canada’s ASC feed certification is a key step forward for the supply of responsible feed to farms across North America and the Pacific Rim.

Mowi Feed has also achieved ASC feed certification for both its facilities in Scotland and Norway. Operating out of Kyleakin on the east coast of the Isle of Skye, Scotland, and Valsneset in central-western Norway, respectively, their state-of-the-art feed mills produce feed for salmon. Both ASC feed certifications for Mowi Feed reflect further progress for responsible salmon farming in the UK and Norway.

ASC drives farmed seafood transformation by leveraging expertise, fostering innovation, and partnering with the

supply chain to amplify impact. These recent certifications, alongside all other certifications and commitments achieved since the launch of the ASC Feed Standard, play a pivotal role in this mission of transforming the industry towards greater environmental and social responsibility.

There are now 16 units of certification in the ASC Feed programme (comprising 22 individual certified feed mill sites) across numerous countries including Canada, Chile, Ecuador, Honduras, Mexico, Norway, Thailand, Vietnam, and the UK, displaying the strong global uptake of the ASC feed certification programme.

A diverse mix of multinational and regional companies have achieved ASC Feed certification showing that complying with its robust requirements is accessible and achievable. With numerous further feed companies in the initial audit phase, 2025 is already shaping up to be another strong year of ASC Feed Certification uptake.

ASC certified farms have until 31 October 2025 to ensure their feed supply is ASC-conforming – in other words, feed produced by mills that are certified against the ASC Feed Standard. The use of ASC-conforming feed is necessary for ASC certified farms to continue meeting the ASC Farm Standard and retain their certification.

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Six years on, at a farm in Mexico

A follow-up on developments at Acuicola 11 de Diciembre S.A. with Ing Ramsès A Chavez Zazueta

By Zuridah Merican

In 2018, I visited the Acuicola 11 de Diciembre farm belonging to a young shrimp entrepreneur, Ing Ramsès A Chavez Zazueta. Back then, Chavez discussed how he and other farm owners in Sinaloa state, Mexico had managed to overcome AHPND (acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease) or otherwise referred to as early mortality syndrome (EMS) which occurred in 2013. Prior to EMS, Mexico’s shrimp production was more than 120,000 tonnes. Then came EMS which brought down production to just over 40,000 tonnes in 2013.

By 2024, after having recovered from EMS and post Covid, Mexico’s production reached a remarkable 170,000 tonnes. Another trump card for the industry is that its in-country demand is taking up almost all of the shrimp produced. Shrimp imports are banned except from the three southern neighbouring countries. Mexico has three major shrimp farming states, led by Sinaloa, Sonora and Nayarit. Sinaloa is the leading shrimp farming state with a historic figure of 95,000 tonnes produced in 2021.

Annually, there is the Conacua conference and trade show which gathers aquaculture stakeholders in Sinaloa. The 2024 edition was held on November 2728 in Los Mochis, and I met up with Chavez to discuss developments at his farming group. Chavez is also Secretary General of Acuacultores de Ahome, the aquaculture association in Ahome municipality, Sinaloa, which is a co-organiser of Conacua with Conafab, the federal level feed association of Mexico. See page 54-56.

Expansion with three farms

AAP: What has changed since 2018 at your farming group

Ramsès A Chavez Zazueta: We have expanded to three farms. We now have two in Sinaloa and one in Sonora state. The total area is 420ha. The stocking is 15-20 PL/m2 in the 187ha farm around Los Mochis. Generally, it is semiintensive culture, but we have a range of stocking densities, depending on the location. The Sonora farm is smaller at only 115ha and the two other farms are in the Ahome municipality in northwestern Sinaloa.

The latest addition is a farm in Sinaloa which we took over from a farmer leaving shrimp farming. In 2013, when EMS came to Mexico, the owner could not deal with the disease and decided to sell his farm.

Disruption in production with low prices

AAP: What is the general situation with production in Mexico?

Chavez: The final production numbers in 2024 are still not available but industry has estimated that 90% of the production will be from Sinaloa and Sonora. However, in 2024, here in Sinaloa, we estimated that production will be less by 30% because prices for the second half of the year were not tenable in comparison to the cost of production. Many producers did not stock in the second half of the year.

In 2023, Sinaloa produced 90,000 tonnes. For 2024, the estimate is 55,000 to 60,000 tonnes only. In comparison to Sinaloa, Sonora has more integrated groups and most probably does not have these production problems. Sonora is expected to maintain its 2023 production or if anything shows a decline by 5-10% only.

Technification

AAP: What improvements and innovations have helped you during the last six years?

Chavez: Remember, that in 2018, I mentioned how our survival rates went down to 55%. Today, there have been improvements of 10% - to 65% - 68%. My target is 70% and so we are still not there yet. The improvement is not large, but it does help. Here, most producers are managing diseases better by knowing the causes.

Ing Ramsès A Chavez Zazueta is a second generation farmer and runs the Acuicola 11 de Diciembre group of farms in Sinaloa and Sonora states in Mexico.

However, since 2022, with low prices, technification and reinvesting in farms are something we all need to do. We need to be more efficient in production by harvesting more kilograms of shrimp per square metre. If we do not take this option, we cannot compete in the domestic and international markets.

By technification, I mean installing aerators, automatic feeders and more efficient pumping of water to ponds. Pond electrification is rare in Mexico, but a necessity with intensification of farms.

At the Sonora farm, I had no choice but to invest in electrification. This is a huge investment, but I expect a return from this investment in 3 years. The problem in Mexico is that the electric grid is not near farms, which are in coastal areas. We explored the solar option, but it is not possible for such an industrial scale.

Higher productivity

AAP: What are the benefits with these investments?

Chavez: I am seeing some benefits of technification. We now produce around 3.2-3.4 tonnes/ha as compared to 1.8-2.2 tonnes/ha previously. Harvest sizes are larger at 34-36g, feed conversion (FCR) is lower from 1.9-2.0 to 1.75-1.8 and days of culture (DOC) are shorter, down to 202 days from 215 days. We now feel that we can compete internationally. All the above have been achieved despite maintaining stocking density at 15-20 PL/m2. Perhaps it is also time to explore higher stocking density.

We are exploring on how to change our farming models by looking at culture practices in Ecuador, Central America and Asia. Here in Sinaloa, we grow to large shrimp and only have time for one cycle. Now our average weekly growth (AWG) is 1.38g/week. In Mexico, nothing has changed

Top left, View of farms. Ponds in the background are in one of the two sites in Topolobampo, Ahome; Bottom left, autofeeders in ponds. Chavez has run a test with sonic autofeeders but has yet to implement this for the whole group. Right: A shrimp harvest.

with regards to broodstock. Hatcheries develop specific tolerant lines from large shrimp and the focus is on disease resistance.

However, a strategy is to have two cycles/year and with a better growth rate. This is the second year that we are using autofeeders and I see some potential with our technification.

Cost of production

AAP: What have been your strategies to reduce production costs?

Chavez: A pain point is the low prices since 2022. Selling prices in November were MXN105-110/kg (USD5.205.45) for 36g shrimp. The cost of production (COP) was MXN82/kg (USD4.05). We have been trying to lower the fuel cost of pumping water. With electrification in the Sonora farm, in July, I migrated to a new pumping system with automation, one which can be programmed to be economical.

At this conference, we are learning what the industry in Ecuador and other producers in Mexico are doing better. Some in Mexico have 2-3 cycles per year. They are not harvesting such large shrimp but maybe two cycles of 20g. We need to see the economics of harvesting 20g shrimp compared to harvesting 36g shrimp. We need to relook at our practices and explore how to be more profitable.

We have several partial harvests, starting with 15g shrimpthe second is 19-20g shrimp, the third 24-27g shrimp and the fourth for 31g shrimp. If survival is good, a last harvest of 36-37g shrimp. We sell fresh shrimp to the domestic market and also send shrimp to the processing plant for brine freezing.

Nursery phase

AAP: What have been the developments with this phase?

Chavez: This is an important phase, preparing post larvae for stocking the next cycle. This is done during the break cycle period. The yearly farming cycle for farms in Sinaloa ends on the first weekend of November and restocking is regulated to start only in the last weekend of March. The date is determined by Acuacultores de Ahome A.C. and enforced by the local authority. The association also establishes the period to dry out the ponds. All these steps have been put in place to avoid diseases, which are more susceptible during the colder season.

Since 2018, the nursery at Acuicola 11 de Diciembre farm has remained unchanged. Post larvae (PL10-12) are stocked and grown to 300mg for stocking. There are two cycles in the nursery phase.

Surviving the Covid pandemic years

AAP: From 2020-2021, what was shrimp farming like at your farm and overall in Mexico?

Chavez: From a business point of view, many other producers and I had expected it to be difficult. On the contrary, we were all farming as normal. There were no imports of shrimp while the consumption and market demand were very good. We saw record prices in 2021. (Note: according to indexmundi.com, prices were highest at MXN316.92/kg in July 2021).

However, there was a downside to this excitement on high prices. Many producers were so excited about this trend and expected the higher prices to stay. They started reinvesting into farming and some took up loans to expand. Over one year, shrimp prices dropped to the bottom. Post Covid, it became a perfect storm when interest rates increased to 11.25% in March of 2023 and later followed by the devaluation of the Mexican peso (MXN) against the US dollar. Many farms went bust and only the larger groups managed to navigate this storm.

Wish list for 2025

The Installation of a new pumping system at Acuicola 11 de Diciembre S.A in July 2024. With electrification in the Sonora farm, in July, Chavez migrated to a new pumping system with automation, one which can be programmed to be economical. Previously pumps were diesel powered. (source:https://www.facebook.com/search/ top/?q=Acuicola%2011%20diciembre).

Chavez: I am very interested to see what acoustic feeding can do to increase yields. We are working with Mazatlanbased Acuicultec, which is developing an acoustic feeding system with artificial intelligence. In the past two years, we have been working with them on autofeeders and on control of aeration and reduction of pumping. We also had a trial with AQ1, and we are happy with results such as a drop in FCR and DOC and larger size. I am now tempted to increase stocking density to increase yields.

As a group we are managing the ups and downs of this industry. I am very concerned with the oversupply situation and economic sustainability of shrimp farming. I believe that the large integrators will continue to produce more and more and workers in the smaller farms will lose their jobs. We may see a smaller group of large producers. This race is not healthy. Similar to other countries such as Ecuador, shrimp farming in Mexico provides employment to communities. I also believe in social sustainability - the benefits of shrimp farming should be distributed to many in the community and not only to few.

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The future of vannamei shrimp genetics

The future is genomic advancements, regional adaptability, and sustainability practices for a transformation that fosters both economic and environmental resilience

By Natthinee Munkongwongsiri, Chotitat Luengchaichawange, Daniel Fegan and Craig L. Browdy

The global shrimp aquaculture industry stands at a crossroad, where innovation is essential to overcome challenges and unlock new opportunities. Genetic advancements have become a key component in addressing critical issues like health management, improving productivity, and ensuring environmental sustainability.

This article explores how innovations in vannamei shrimp genetics and advanced breeding strategies are shaping a sustainable and resilient future for the industry.

Current trends in vannamei shrimp genetics

Shrimp genetics in Latin America and Asia have evolved along distinct paths, shaped by differences in farming systems, disease pressures, and environmental conditions.

In Latin America, where extensive farming systems dominated, the focus was on breeding shrimp with disease tolerance, particularly specific pathogen resistant (SPR) lines. These lines were developed by selecting survivors of disease outbreaks, which allowed farms to maintain production in environments with lower biosecurity standards and minimal infrastructure investments.

However, while SPR lines demonstrated resilience to pathogens, they often grew more slowly compared to their counterparts.

In contrast, Asia embraced a more intensive farming approach, driven by smaller landholdings and the need to maximise yield per hectare. The adoption of specific pathogen free (SPF) broodstock became the cornerstone of biosecurity strategies. Many Asian farmers invested in biosecure facilities, such as treatment ponds and pathogen testing, to minimise the introduction of diseases like yellowhead and white spot syndrome viruses.

The SPF approach prioritised fast growth, enabling shrimp to reach harvest size quickly and reduce the window of exposure to diseases.

“They address the industry’s dual need for growth and resilience, ensuring farmers in diverse regions can rely on shrimp stocks that perform well under varied farming conditions.”

SPR versus SPF

While both strategies addressed regional needs, they also came with trade-offs. SPF shrimp lacked the genetic resilience to withstand new pathogens, while SPR shrimp often sacrificed growth speed for survival. Furthermore, attempts to introduce fast-growing Asian lines in Latin America, or disease-tolerant Latin American lines in Asia, yielded inconsistent results, as these genetics were not adapted to the respective regions’ conditions.

To bridge this gap, the industry has shifted toward the development of “balanced lines” - shrimp that combine optimal growth with robust disease tolerance. Unlike earlier efforts to cross fast-growing and resistant families, which often resulted in high variability and inconsistent performance, balanced lines are achieved through rigorous, multi-generational selection processes. These lines leverage advanced genomic tools to identify families that exhibit both traits simultaneously, ensuring consistency and adaptability.

Balanced lines represent a transformative innovation in vannamei shrimp genetics. They address the industry’s dual need for growth and resilience, ensuring farmers in diverse regions can rely on shrimp stocks that perform well under varied farming conditions. This shift underscores the critical role of long-term, science-driven breeding programs in meeting the evolving demands and assuring profitability of shrimp aquaculture.

Vannamei shrimp broodstock @SyAaqua

Pioneering innovations in genetics: Genomics meet phenotypic selection

Advances in genomic selection have revolutionised genetic programs, enabling the development of balanced lines that achieve both high growth rates and strong disease tolerance. By employing tens of thousands of SNP markers and robust phenotypic evaluations, breeding programs today achieve unprecedented precision. These tools reduce inbreeding risks, enhance selection accuracy, and ensure consistent results across generations.

“Acceleration of genetic gains by precisely targeting traits like growth, disease resistance, and environmental robustness using a “Selection Index”.

Advanced breeding programs seamlessly integrate phenotypic and genomic selection. To enable effective selection, precise, accurate and consistent measurements of phenotypic responses are essential. While genomic tools improve selection accuracy, robust phenotypic evaluations ensure that desired traits manifest under realworld farming conditions.

SyAqua is building a database tracking shrimp performance across Asia, spanning multiple production cycles. Through collaborations with an expanding group of technology companies, seed suppliers and growers, the database will continue to grow, providing key insights into the translation of genetic strategies into commercial farm profitability.

This type of dual approach enables:

• Acceleration of genetic gains by precisely targeting traits like growth, disease resistance, and environmental robustness using a “Selection Index”.

• Effective investment into genomic selection for tangible, measurable outcomes that benefit farmers.

Our use of a tailored “Selection Index” has allowed the simultaneous selection for multiple traits within the balanced lines, targeted to the needs of the market. This has allowed the development of a robust line that can meet the challenges of many different environmental and farming conditions.

Balanced lines: A game-changer in genetics

Balanced lines have emerged as a revolutionary solution to the historical trade-off between growth and resistance. Through more than a decade of dedicated genomic and phenotypic selection, these lines have been optimised to combine fast growth with the robustness required for challenging environments. SyAqua has been instrumental in this transformation, consistently delivering lines that perform well in real world environments for both survival and growth. At the end of the day, bottom line farm profitability depends on simultaneously balancing and maximising both traits.

The results speak volumes:

• A 44% improvement in growth rates over five years.

• A 22% increase in resistance to Vibrio parahaemolyticus, the causative agent of early mortality syndrome (EMS).

• Survival rates of up to 88% during 100-day culture cycles, even under adverse conditions.

These achievements underscore the impact of advanced genomic tools and strategic breeding, providing farmers with high-performing stocks tailored to diverse production challenges.

Recently, several local breeding programs have developed in Asia. Results from these companies have been mixed with some achieving high quality post larvae (PL) with a focus on a well-managed broodstock program and world class hatchery systems.

On the other end of the spectrum, there are many suppliers who operate in the “secondary” or “F2” market. These suppliers produce broodstock from 2nd generation post larvae (i.e. growing PL from imported broodstock to broodstock for sale locally).

This is a short-term approach as they may be compromised by disease infection and inbreeding that accumulate quickly. It is increasingly difficult to know the true genetic source of shrimp seed. The most successful producers have a rigorous seed quality control program coupled with strong relationships with suppliers to ensure consistency.

Future innovations and delivering sustainable impact

The shrimp aquaculture industry continues to evolve, facing challenges such as disease management, feed efficiency, climate adaptability, and environmental sustainability. To meet these demands, genetic strategies are focusing on enhancing disease tolerance, improving feed conversion efficiency, and developing shrimp resilient to environmental stresses.

Emerging technologies, including AI and big data, are enabling predictive models that refine breeding programs, creating precise tools to help farmers maximise profitability and reduce their environmental footprint. These advancements complement ongoing efforts to deliver sustainability-focused solutions:

• Feed Efficiency: Optimised genetics reduce waste, improve water quality, and promote healthier pond ecosystems.

• Resilience: Shrimp with greater disease tolerance reduce reliance on chemical interventions, minimising ecological strain and production risks.

profitability, resilience, and environmental stewardship. The best genetics coupled with advanced production technologies and management practices, will enable a new era of precision and sustainability in shrimp aquaculture.

• Consistency: Balanced lines ensure reliable performance, reducing crop failures and supporting profitability.

By integrating genomic advancements, regional adaptability, and sustainability practices, shrimp farming is undergoing a transformation that fosters both economic and environmental resilience.

Conclusion

Innovation is not just a buzzword for SyAqua; it is the foundation of the company’s mission to transform shrimp farming. From pioneering balanced lines to leveraging cutting-edge genomic tools, the company’s breakthroughs are empowering farmers with genetics that drive

Natthinee Munkongwongsiri, PhD is Field Research Manager at SyAqua Siam Co. Ltd. Email: natthinee.m@syaqua.com

Chotitat Luengchaichawange is Head of Genetic Department at SyAqua Siam Co. Ltd.

Daniel Fegan is Chief Impact Officer at SyAqua Group, Thailand. Email: dan.fegan@syaqua.com

Craig L. Browdy, PhD is Chief Technology Officer, SyAqua Group.

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Artemia nauplii and microbiome management: Combining assets to deliver robust post larvae

Artemia is a widely used live feed for shrimp post larvae. Traditionally, hatcheries incorporate Artemia hatching facilities into their daily operations. Hatcheries need clean and pathogen-free instar1 Artemia nauplii

Since 2013, I&V Bio, starting from a centre in Chonburi, Thailand, has taken the Artemia -hatching burden away from shrimp hatcheries. It produces Artemia nauplii on a commercial scale and at the same time guaranteeing the hatchery manager a steady daily supply of live nauplii ready for use. While cysts are convenient for longterm storage and on-demand hatching, live or enriched nauplii may provide the most digestible and nutrientrich option.

Fast forward to 2022, I&V Bio and Kytos are blending innovative hatchery technologies with microbiome management to redefine industry standards in hatchery operations. During larvi 2024 held in Ostend, Belgium on September 9-12, Zuridah Merican sat with Rudi Bijnens, the Global Marketing and Sales Director at I&V BIO and Steven Debono, a sales representative at Kytos to discuss their views and future in hatchery operations.

Live Artemia versus traditional Artemia

suppliers

I&V Bio’s approach challenges traditional Artemia suppliers, particularly those offering canned cysts. “Traditional live Artemia comes with risks, especially in environments prone to Vibrio and other contaminants. Without proper sanitation and protocols, these risks can persist in tanks. In contrast, our live product is guaranteed to be free of pathogens such as Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP), Vibrio, and viruses,” Bijnens emphasised.

“This quality assurance not only enhances hatchery efficiency but also helps I&V Bio carve a competitive niche. Despite competition from established suppliers of Artemia cysts in a can, like those in Russia as well as from copycat producers of live nauplii, our product and service model have enabled us to capture significant market shares. In our markets in India and Indonesia, it has been 40-50% and we can easily expand our capacity where the need arises.”

Bijnens further argued that Artemia cysts, require hatching, separation, and enrichment before use. This decades-old practice is labour-intensive, inconsistent, and prone to variability, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs. However, I&V Bio uses a separation technology which does not use a physical barrier, the nucleus remains undamaged, and mortality is almost zero during harvesting. The live feed comes preprepared, eliminating the need for complex hatching processes. Most importantly, hatcheries only purchase the feed they require and can optimise cash flow without tying up resources in bulk Artemia purchases.

“We take over liabilities in a crucial part of the hatchery operation protocols,” said Bijnens. “The product is pathogen-free, ensures stable microbiomes, and simplifies day-to-day operations—key factors that appeal to progressive hatcheries looking for reliable and efficient solutions.”

A decade of global expansion

I&V BIO was founded in 2012 by Luk Van Nieuwenhove and Frank Indigne. Since 2013, from its first facility in Thailand, the company has rapidly grown its operations across the globe with multiple facilities in India (three), Indonesia (two), Vietnam, and Ecuador (one). In Saudi Arabia, there is an exclusive in-house production for NAQUA, following its proprietary protocols. The latest is a small facility in Bangladesh.

Breaking into China

A key milestone in its growth trajectory is its recent entry into the Chinese market, with a facility under construction on Hainan Island, enabling a foothold into the vast Chinese aquaculture market. In August 2024, I&V Bio announced a strategic joint venture with Guangdong Yuehai Feed Group, one of China’s premier aquaculture firms.

“The venture in Hainan Island marks a significant step, given the high concentration of hatcheries there. Despite recent setbacks due to a typhoon, we remain optimistic about commencing production by the end of the year.”

China presents immense opportunities for I&V Bio. While current logistical constraints limit its reach to areas accessible within a day, the company is poised to capture a substantial share of the Hainan market first. Bijnens shared, “Our goal is to replicate the success we have seen in other countries. But, next to producing the highest and best quality Artemia, enriched or not, the challenge in China is logistics.”

Pictured at larvi 2024 held in Ostend, Belgium from September 9-12, Rudi Bijnens (right) is the Global Marketing and Sales Director of I&V BIO, since September 2023. Steven Debono is a sales representative for Kytos.

Strategic focus on logistics and customer trust

For I&V Bio, delivering live Artemia daily and directly to hatcheries is a cornerstone of its operational strategy. Logistics plays a crucial role; domestic flights and its fleet of insulated trucks ensure timely delivery, even in challenging conditions. Since 2013, the company has maintained an impressive record of uninterrupted daily deliveries—a feat which was proudly highlighted.

“Building trust remains a top priority. When they choose I&V Bio, they trust us to deliver a consistent, diseasefree product every day and we cannot fail on the promise. This commitment reduces our clients’ operational burdens and translates into significant cost savings,” noted Bijnens.

“We are proud to say that in all of the countries we have operated in; we have never missed a delivery. This is an achievement. Furthermore, unlike commodities, we offer stable pricing for our Artemia nauplii.”

As customers experience the benefits of I&V Bio’s consistent, high-quality products, the company expects its reputation to grow further. The bet is that their focus on reducing operational burdens and offering enriched, pathogen-free Artemia will position them as a preferred partner in the hatchery segment.

Addressing resistance to change

Despite the clear benefits, some hatcheries remain hesitant to adopt this innovation. According to Bijnens, smaller hatcheries are particularly slow to adapt, believing that their existing protocols are unique and irreplaceable. Bijnens predicts a gradual but inevitable

shift towards other modernised live feed solutions. He recalled how years ago, small hatcheries previously managed their own broodstock before specialised facilities became the norm.

“There could be an important correlation between quality post larvae and microbiome to certify post larvae..” -Steven Debono.

“For larger, industrialised hatcheries, the transition is more straightforward. These operations understand the hidden costs of variability in traditional Artemia hatching processes and are quicker to recognise the value of consistent, ready-to-use live feed.”

Bijnens continued, “Most hatcheries are still separating Artemia as they did 30 years ago. Without a doubt, they will find variability in hatching, daily yields, and damages. Artemia differs from source to source, so it is always finding new optimisation, and this variability creates extra cost.”

The team noted that change at the farm has been easier than at the hatchery level. Bijnens speculated that farmers have become more efficient at increasing margins, but hatcheries, are under pressure on margins. “It has been difficult for hatcheries to raise prices because their production yields are not consistent plus the fact that they cannot guarantee a reliable supply of high-quality post larvae. Nobody has a way to measure robustness or that the post larvae are certified.”

“There could be an important correlation between quality post larvae and microbiome to certify post larvae but there is still a lot of work to do to prove this,” added Debono.

Fresh or frozen Artemia nauplii

Fresh live feed significantly outperforms frozen alternatives in terms of nutritional value and performance. “You see deterioration in quality with freezing, even if the nutritional composition appears similar,” said Bijnens as he iterated on I&V Bio’s commitment to provide fresh, high-quality live feed as a foundation of its value proposition.

Artemia enrichment with algae

There is an innovation on Artemia enrichment. Commonly, enrichment is oil-based, where Artemia are exposed to emulsions. “In oil-based enrichment, Artemia filter-feed and store the emulsion in their gut. The enrichment is not absorbed into their body and degrades rapidly once removed from the emulsion,” explained Bijnens.

“In collaboration with Skretting, I&V Bio has introduced algae-based enrichment. This approach leverages natural food for Artemia , allowing them to metabolise and absorb nutrients. Algae-based enrichment results in significantly higher nutritional value, reduced water pollution, and a more stable microbiome in shrimp.”

“These benefits translate into improved shrimp robustness, growth, and microbiome diversity, setting a new benchmark in aquaculture feed technology,” added Debono.

The Kytos advantage: Monitoring microbiomes

Kytos takes aquaculture innovation further by addressing a critical gap: microbiome management. Through advanced analytics, Kytos provides hatcheries and farms with

In Surat Thani, Thailand, a shrimp farmer prepares to boost the post larvae with a shot of enriched Artemia nauplii during the first days after stocking.

actionable insights into their microbiomes, enabling them to predict and prevent potential issues such as disease outbreaks. Their software provides a full microbiome health dashboard with over 10 health indicators and timely identification of health problems. Their service aims to relieve the burden in sampling, analysis, interpretation, and solutions.

“Think of it as shedding light on something previously invisible,” explained Debono. Traditionally, farmers and hatcheries could only react to bacterial problems after they occurred, often discarding entire tanks. Kytos offers a proactive approach, using microbiome analysis to anticipate potential crashes and recommend corrective actions.

On what Kytos can do for the hatchery and farms at large, Debono explained. “By analysing microbiome samples, Kytos predicts issues up to 15 days in advance, allowing for timely intervention. Even though the farm and hatchery already conduct real time analyses, conditions could suddenly change. Our technology helps farmers understand how their pond or tank will evolve.

“We want farmers and hatcheries to comprehend the underlying causes of their challenges, resulting in longterm improvements and with rapid turnaround times, users receive microbiome insights within minutes of submitting samples.”

Collaboration for better outcomes

The partnership between I&V Bio and Kytos represents a synergy of complementary expertise. While I&V Bio simplifies live feed operations, Kytos ensures that the microbiome within the hatchery environment remains stable and suitable for optimal growth.

“Our collaboration is more than just technical,” said Bijnens. “We both share a commitment to working closely with hatcheries, and our combined value proposition amplifies the benefits for customers.”

This collaboration also leverages artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to improve data collection and analysis over time. As data points accumulate, Kytos can deliver increasingly precise insights tailored to individual hatcheries, further enhancing decision-making and efficiency.

The role of data in the future of aquaculture

Both Kytos and I&V Bio see data as the foundation for future advancements in aquaculture. By collecting and analysing microbiome data, they aim to move towards predictive models that can anticipate and mitigate risks.

Debono shared an example from a farm using Kytos technology for many years. Over time, an accumulation of data points has allowed the farm to develop a clearer and more specific understanding of its microbiome dynamics, leading to better outcomes.

“Everything starts with data collection,” said Debono. “The longer you work with the technology, the more comprehensive, specific and actionable the insights become.”

“The holy grail is that industry has never managed to link post larvae quality to farm yield.”- Rudi Bijnens

Challenges and opportunities in adoption

Despite their innovations, both Debono and Bijnens acknowledged challenges in market adoption. One key hurdle is the financial pressure on hatcheries, which limits their ability to raise prices. Additionally, a lack of universally accepted metrics for assessing post larvae (PL) quality hampers the ability of hatcheries to charge premium prices for superior products. Bijnens added, “The holy grail is that industry has never managed to link post larvae quality to farm yield.”

There is scepticism among some hatchery operators, particularly in regions like Vietnam, where traditional practices remain deeply entrenched. However, in countries like Indonesia, the response has been more enthusiastic, with many hatcheries fully embracing I&V Bio’s technology and closing their own Artemia production facilities.

A vision for the future

Looking ahead, both Debono and Bijnens are optimistic about the potential for their technologies to make a difference. They envisioned a future where microbiome management becomes a standard part of hatchery and farm operations, leading to more consistent and reliable production.

For I&V Bio, the ambition extends beyond Artemia . “We might have other live food products in the pipeline,” Bijnens hinted. However, the company believes that fresh, pathogen-free feed is key to maintaining stable microbiomes and achieving superior performance.

A hatchery worker feeds I&V Bio’s INSTART ORI-N3 enriched and Vibrio free nauplii to the post larvae rearing tanks.

Feeding nauplii to post larvae.

Enhancing growth and feed conversion: Addressing environmental and health stressors with functional nursery feeds

By Marc Campet

Aquaculture production in Asia-Pacific is expected to continue its growth momentum in the coming years. The region’s aquaculture market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 5.3% from 2025 to 2030, according to data from Grand View Research (2024). However, environmental and health stressors in the hatchery and nursey stages are anticipated to pose significant barriers to expanding production and achieving aquaculture success for shrimp producers in the region.

The challenge: Moving from controlled to open environments

In Southeast Asia, where high density culture in open environments are common systems for shrimp farms, there is a constant and increasing threat to shrimp post larvae from all pathogens despite efforts to increase biosecurity. In the early stages of their development, the lack of an adaptive immune system in shrimp makes them particularly vulnerable to external conditions, especially when they are exposed to diverse water quality, various infectious environments, during transportation, transfer and counting. Without proper immune support and precise nutrition solutions, the transfer of juvenile shrimp from hatchery to new environments, typically switching from closed control environments to semiopen ones, may result in reduced survival rate and/ or performance loss, and potentially affect the whole production process.

In the absence of a long-lasting immunity memory in shrimp, after exposure to bacteria and viruses, immunity regulation is pivotal for crop success. Early-stage nutrition for shrimp plays a significant role in enabling shrimp to grow faster and remain healthy and robust for a successful harvest. To mitigate the growing challenge of antimicrobial resistance, aquaculture producers

must adopt more efficient management practices, ensuring sustainable operations and profitability across production cycles.

An effective approach is to incorporate functional feeds to help shrimp cope with environmental, physiological and healthrelated stress. Shrimp producers in the region are turning to a new generation of functional feeds designed to support immune function and enhance post larvae resistance to pathogens. Choosing the right holistic feed solution to boost growth and survival performance of juvenile shrimp requires careful consideration of three key attributes.

High digestibility for protein

Small feeds produced by cold microextrusion technology will have a high level of protein digestibility that directly supports the growth performance of juvenile shrimp. The low temperatures of 70°C to 80°C during feed processing results in reduced protein denaturation and a lower loss of the vitamin content of the feed. In fact, an in vitro test by ADM’s Product Development and Applications team in 2021, found that feed produced using cold extrusion technology registered 92.5% protein digestibility as compared to conventional extruded feed with 87.7% to 91% protein digestibility.

Furthermore, when combined with spheronization (or marumerization), which ensures the homogeneity of size and shape of the feed, the feed intake by shrimp post larvae and juveniles is maximised.

High water stability

Another advantage of cold extrusion and spheronization is that it helps to maintain water stability with reduced leaching of nutrients in water. This contributes to improved water quality in hatcheries and nurseries. This is especially vital during the critical early life stages of shrimp where frequent changes in water quality and environments can be harmful to their future growth and performance.

Supporting stress mitigation and immune responses

Utilising special feed additives can be effective in countering stress factors such as during grading and counting, transport and during acclimatisation of young shrimp to new environmental conditions in the hatchery and nursery. Addition of functional additives to nursery feed help shrimp mitigate stress, support immunity, and avoid the reduction in performance as a result of pathogens. It is important to note that while functional feeds can be efficient in enhancing productivity, to maximise benefits, shrimp farmers should complement their use with strict farming and biosecurity protocols.

Trials with a novel yeast

Pichia guilliermondii , a novel yeast, with its unique morphology, structure, and bioactive cell wall components, can assist in managing high periods of high heat through a modulating effect on gut microbiota and immune function. A study conducted by ADM in Thailand showed that the inclusion of P. guilliermondii in shrimp diets gave significant impacts on critical immune parameters, offering immune support for enhanced productivity and performance in juvenile shrimp (ADM, 2012).

Pathogen-free Litopenaeus vannamei shrimp with an initial live weight of 6.5g were housed in 2.5m3 tanks and fed either a control or treatment diet containing 0.18% P. guilliermondii . Feeding was five times a day over 28 days. At the end of the feeding period, a sample of 15 shrimp per group were infected by a Vibrio harveyi suspension and the concentration of total and granular haemocytes in haemolymph samples were measured three hours following the injection.

The inactivated yeast hence positively influences the innate and adaptive immune system of the shrimp with the proliferation of beneficial gut microflora and a faster and stronger inflammatory response to infection. Other trials in Vietnam (ADM, 2019) have also indicated that the addition of P. guilliermondii to the shrimp basal diet resulted in significant improvements in average shrimp body weight gain, with the inactivated yeast supporting growth performance in the absence of pathogen infection.

Functional nursery feed for tilapia larvae

WeaN Prime® is a top-quality nursery feed specifically formulated by ADM to improve the overall health of shrimp and fish juveniles. It combines three functional additives, including P. guilliermondii. Other ingredients include fish meal, krill meal, pea protein, wheat meal, soy meal, soy lecithin and fish oil. This advanced blend has been proven to improve growth performance and feed conversion ratio (FCR), even under pathogen exposure or stress conditions.

infected by a Vibrio harveyi suspension and the concentraMon of total and granular haemocytes in haemolymph samples were measured three hours following the injecMon.

The granular haemocyte counts significantly increased in the haemolymph of shrimp fed P. guilliermondii (P < 0.05; Figure 1) and the number of V. harveyi cells remaining in haemolymph three hours following a challenge was significantly lower as compared to the shrimp fed the control diet (P < 0.05; Figure 2).

The granular haemocyte counts signiﬁcantly increased in the haemolymph of shrimp fed P. guilliermondii (P < 0.05; Figure 1) and the number of V. harveyi cells remaining in haemolymph three hours following a challenge was signiﬁcantly lower as compared to the shrimp fed the control diet (P < 0.05; Figure 2).

An elevated proportion of granular haemocytes amongst total haemocytes, as showcased in shrimp fed feeds with P. guilliermondii, demonstrated primed immune capabilities and a more effective response to pathogen challenges.

Figure 1. Number of granular haemocytes and total haemocytes in Litopenaeus vannamei fed feeds with 0.18% Pichia guilliermondii in a trial in Thailand, after infection with a Vibrio harveyi suspension (ADM, 2012).

infected by a Vibrio harveyi suspension and the concentraMon of total and granular haemocytes in haemolymph samples were measured three hours following the injecMon.

A study by ADM on the effects of this nursery feed on young aquatic animals in Vietnam revealed significant growth improvements, increase in feed intake and improved FCR in young tilapia, fed WeaN Prime® as compared to other mash/micro extruded pellet feeds. During the research, 24 tanks of 200L were divided into three experimental groups (WeaN Prime®; Competitor 1; Competitor 2), with 100 tilapia larvae per tank in water temperatures ranging from 28.5°C-30°C. The tilapia fry (from one day after yolk sac absorption) were fed the nursery feeds four times a day for 40 days.

Figure 2. Number of Vibrio harveyi cells remaining in haemolymph of Litopenaeus vannamei fed feeds with 0.18% Pichia guilliermondii, three hours following a challenge with a V. harveyi suspension (ADM, 2012).

The results showed that the larvae fed WeaN Prime® had a final live weight of 6.8g after 40 days. This was 60% and 31% higher as compared to the other experimental groups (Figure 3), a 19% and 8% increase in feed intake (Figure 4), and FCR improved to 1.01 (Figure 5).

To solve the nutritional challenges of today and future generations, WeaN Prime® optimises nutrition and maximises production for shrimp producers in the Asia-Pacific region while mitigating environmental impact and optimising the use of natural resources. Produced using cold-extrusion technology, the feed with lower leaching rates, can be easily adapted to farming systems with low water exchange.

Combined with improvements in growth performances and FCRs, active agents such as activated clay, organic acid blend and P. guilliermondii (Aquatrax) have been shown to reduce stress and boost the immunity of shrimp larvae during the early critical stages of their life cycle, showcasing the effectiveness of functional feeds in helping producers achieve aquaculture success.

References

Grand View Research, 2024. Asia Pacific Aquaculture Market Size & Outlook, 2024-2030; https:// www.grandviewresearch.com/horizon/outlook/ aquaculture-market/asia-pacific ADM, 2012. ADM Internal Study no. CSINTEQC2012. TB 001, Thailand, 2012. ADM, 2019. ADM Internal Study no. SHV G NBC 1903 (Trial 1), SHV G NBT (Trial 2), Vietnam 2019

feeding

To solve the nutriMonal challenges of today and future generaMons, WeaN Prime® opMmises nutriMon and maximises producMon for shrimp producers in the Asia-Paciﬁc region while miMgaMng environmental impact and opMmising the use of natural resources. Produced using cold-extrusion technology, the

and

Figure 3. Final live weight (g) of tilapia juveniles after 40 days of feeding WeaN Prime® in an ADM trial.

Figure 4. Feed intake (g/day/fish) of tilapia juveniles after 40 days of feeding WeaN Prime® in an ADM trial.

Figure 3. Final live weight (g) of tilapia juveniles aUer 40 days of feeding WeaN Prime® in an ADM trial

Figure 4. Feed intake (g/day/fish) of tilapia juveniles aUer 40 days of feeding WeaN Prime® in an ADM trial.

WeaN Prime® Competitor #1 Competitor #2

Figure 5. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) of tilapia juveniles after 40 days of feeding WeaN Prime® in an ADM trial.

Figure 5. Feed conversion raMo (FCR) of tilapia juveniles aUer 40 days of

WeaN Prime® in an trial.

WeaN Prime® Competitor #1 Competitor #2

A new horizon in shrimp farming: Strategic nutrition for EHP management

A white paper * reviews the threat of EHP in shrimp and studies on its mitigation via enhancing resilience with krill meal and oil

By Ragnhild Dragøy

As one of the most valuable and heavily traded aquatic commodities, shrimp production has evolved significantly over the past years (FAO, 2022). The focus has shifted from the low-density farming of the black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) to the intensive culture of the whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei), which now accounts for approximately 53% of global crustacean aquaculture production.

Disease outbreaks have emerged as a major threat, causing significant economic losses over the years (De Schryver et al., 2014; Lee et al., 2022). The mid-1990s were dominated by viral pandemics like the white spot syndrome virus (WSSV), while the period from 2009 to 2015 saw a rise in bacterial pathogens such as vibriosis, causing early mortality syndrome (EMS). More recently, the last decade has been marked by the emergence of

parasites, namely Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP), which causes hepatopancreatic microsporidiosis (HMP).

The

EHP threat

EHP causes extensive production and economic losses, evident in countries like India, with an estimated production loss of 0.77 million tonnes and a corresponding economic impact of USD576.62 million (Patil et al., 2021). In Thailand, annual losses due to EHP are speculated to be around USD180 million. In EHPinfected farms, shrimp often fail to grow beyond 12g in a typical 110-day culture, leading to losses ranging from USD4,500 – 32,100/ha (Shinn et al., 2018). This is further compounded by increased shrimp size variability in infected ponds; while it is around 10% in healthy ponds, it can exceed 30% in severely infected ones, often making harvests unprofitable.

Liive Antarctic krill ( Euphausia superba ) are small, marine crustaceans with elongated bodies and numerous leg-like appendages. Krill are abundant marine resources with a high nutritional value (Atkinson et al., 2009; Tarling et al., 2009), making them ideal ingredients for aquafeeds.

*The project was executed by Aker QRILL Company and led by Lena Burri. Current contact person is Ragnhild Dragøy.

EHP is an intracellular parasite that provokes a chronic, progressive infection, leading to a gradual decline in shrimp well-being. It primarily targets the hepatopancreas, which plays a vital role in the synthesis and secretion of digestive enzymes, nutrient absorption, and metabolism and storage of fats, carbohydrates, and minerals (Fan et al., 2016; NRC, 2011; Xu et al., 2020).

The hepatopancreas is also essential for immunity, as it synthesises immune factors in response to microbial invasions (Xu et al. 2020; Ji et al., 2009; Sun et al., 2008). Moreover, the hepatopancreas supports gut health, closely linked with the gut microbiome. This microbiome facilitates gut development, vitamin synthesis, and metabolic functions, and is essential for efficient nutrient digestion and absorption (Ringø et al., 2022; Holt et al., 2021).

EHP infection causes the degeneration of hepatopancreatic cells, impairing hepatopancreas function and disrupting growth-regulating hormones (Wu et al., 2022). This results in reduced nutrient absorption, depleted energy reserves, and host starvation. Consequently, EHP infection in shrimp leads to slower and reduced growth, chronic mortality, and poor feed conversion (Ning et al., 2019). This is summarised in Figure 1.

Shrimp microbiome

It also adversely affects the shrimp’s microbiome, diminishing the diversity of beneficial organisms and compromising functions associated with nutrient absorption, immunity, and overall host health (Duan, et al., 2021). As the infection severity increases, the risk of secondary infections and pathogen vulnerability escalates. This significantly impacts shrimp farm productivity and yields mostly due to the slow growth rate, as farmers risk losing their entire stock or are forced to harvest early.

Economic losses

Unlike bacterial or viral diseases, EHP lacks overt clinical symptoms, complicating early detection and causing significant economic losses before it is even identified (Aldama-Cano et al., 2018). Consequently, the industry is focusing on preventive measures (e.g. drying and chlorination) and nutritional strategies to enhance shrimp health and resilience against such pathogens (Jaroenlak et al., 2018). However, the challenge remains significant due to EHP’s resilient spores which can survive several years outside their host, making the disease particularly difficult to eradicate once it is present in pond environments (Wang, et al., 2020).

Strategic nutrition to enhance resilience

Implementing a nutritional approach can significantly enhance shrimp resilience against EHP and preventively mitigate its impacts. This strategy can improve disease resistance, stimulate the immune system for better pathogen defence, optimise gut microbiota for efficient nutrient absorption, and optimise hepatopancreas function, thereby supporting overall shrimp health and growth.

Dietary krill inclusion stands out as a promising approach (Figure 2). Technological advances in krill harvesting and processing have led to the production of valuable krill-based products suitable for shrimp feed, including krill meal (KM) and krill oil (KO) (De Schryver et al., 2014). KM and KO offer a rich nutritional profile with feeding attractants, enhancing both shrimp health and feed intake (Smith et al., 2005; Jannathulla et al., 2021; Soares et al., 2021).

Aside from an abundance of high-quality protein and essential free amino acids, the content in KM is rich in phosphatidylcholine (PC). Its omega-3 fatty acids, such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), supports cell functions, stress resistance, and immune health (Köhler et al., 2015). Moreover, astaxanthin in both KM and KO contributes to colouration, has potent antioxidative properties, and acts as an attractant, improving feed palatability and intake (Barros et al., 2014).

A study explored the effects of dietary KM and KO inclusion on EHP-infected shrimp. Over a 10-week trial, whiteleg shrimp were fed different diets, including a control diet (POS), 3% KM (KM3), 10% KM (KM10), and 2% KO (KO2) (Aker BioMarine). After an initial 35-day feeding period, shrimp were challenged with EHP. An additional control group (fed with a control diet) did not undergo EHP infection (NEG).

At the end of the study, shrimp fed diets incorporating 10% KM and 2% KO recorded notable improvements (Figure 2). Shrimp in these two groups presented increased body weight compared to the infected (POS) and non-infected control (NEG), and the 3% KM.

R-cell activity

Additionally, the krill-fed groups demonstrated enhanced R-cell activity in the hepatopancreas, serving as a qualitative measure of nutrient absorption, digestion, and storage. In contrast, the infected control group (NEG), which was fed a standard diet without krill, exhibited reduced vacuolisation, highlighting the positive impact of krill on hepatopancreas function.

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24 Feed Technology

These krill products show potential in mitigating the effects of EHP infection in shrimp. Their high nutritional value, rich in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants, is key to boost the shrimp’s immune system and enhance their growth and hepatopancreatic health and function.

Cellular integrity and energy retention

The comparable levels of KO in 10% KM and 2% KO diets, along with their similar positive effects, suggest the importance of omega-3 fatty acids in addressing EHP infection in shrimp. The presence of PC in both KM and KO might also play a role in the protection against damage and starvation caused by EHP infection, as it can aid in maintaining cellular integrity and energy retention. This is in line with previous studies demonstrating the benefits of krill-based diets in improving hepatopancreas function (Ambasankar et al., 2022).

Intestinal microbiota

Furthermore, the omega-3 fatty acids in KO have been shown to alter intestinal microbiota and strengthen the intestinal immune barrier (Liang et al., 2022), which is crucial given the impact of EHP on gut bacterial community (Shen et al., 2022). Additionally, the immune-stimulatory properties of krill are also evidenced by enhanced expression of immune-related genes (Ambasankar et al., 2022).

The integration of krill into shrimp diets can therefore foster a healthier gut environment, supporting better nutrient absorption and overall shrimp health. Overall, krill-based supplements offer great potential as a natural, effective solution to managing EHP in shrimp farming.

“The observed outcomes with krill supplementation suggest a shift towards more holistic, nutrition-based strategies in aquaculture, which could transform traditional practices and improve the sustainability of shrimp farming globally.”

A key role in shaping more sustainable shrimp farming

The findings of this recent study highlighted the potential with the supplementation of dietary krill products in giving nutritional support to EHP-infected shrimp. The positive impact of these products suggests the need to re-evaluate conventional feeding practices given their potential to improve farm productivity and sustainability.

The research lays the groundwork for further exploration into mitigating the impact of EHP infections on shrimp growth performance.

Future studies should examine the optimal inclusion rates of krill products across shrimp species and life stages, and particularly under farming environments. It is also crucial to explore how krill products specifically improve growth performance, focusing on the role of omega-3 fatty acids and PC in the health of the hepatopancreas and intestine of EHP-infected shrimp. However, we believe that the potential of krill products extends beyond EHP management, offering broader implications for disease resistance and immune system enhancement in shrimp farming.

This aligns with the industry’s ongoing efforts to adopt more sustainable and natural solutions for disease control. The observed outcomes with krill supplementation suggest a shift towards more holistic, nutrition-based strategies in aquaculture, which could transform traditional practices and improve the sustainability of shrimp farming globally.

References are available on request

Figure 2. Improved growth performance in shrimp fed 10% KM and 2% KO compared to the control groups and 3% KM, as shown by (a) increased final body weight and (b) improved hepatopancreas function in the krill groups compared to the EHP-infected control group (POS) as shown by improved hepatopancreatic vacuolisation.

Ragnhild Dragøy, PhD, is SVP Product Management and Sustainability at Aker QRILL Company.

A) Body weight (g)

B) Degree of hepatopancreatic vacuolisation (%)

Taste matters: Exploring the fish gustatory system for overcoming aquaculture challenges

Taste ma(ers: exploring the ﬁsh gustatory system for overcoming aquaculture challenges

Understanding the role of taste receptors in regulating both feed intake and feeding efficiency is crucial since not meeting the taste preferences of farmed fish can lead to poor performance

Understanding the role of taste receptors in regula3ng both feed intake and feeding eﬃciency is crucial since not mee3ng the taste preferences of farmed ﬁsh can lead to poor performance

By Sofia Morais

By Soﬁa Morais

It is widely accepted among aquafeed formulators that “fish need nutrients, not ingredients.” However, it is also important to recognise that fish must be able to identify nutrients, or their sources, as food. In this article, we will briefly explore the fundamentals of chemosensory perception in fish, particularly taste, its role in nature, and its practical implications for aquaculture.

It is widely accepted among aquafeed formulators that “ﬁsh need nutrients, not ingredients.”

However, it is also important to recognise that fish must be able to iden?fy nutrients, or their sources, as food. In this ar?cle we will briefly explore the fundamentals of chemosensory percep?on in fish, par?cularly taste, its role in nature, and its prac?cal implica?ons for aquaculture.

Inside out of fish taste sensing: From external cues to gut signals

On the other hand, taste sensing is not limited to sensory (neural) stimuli in oral tissues. It is now established that in fish, as in mammals, taste receptors are also found in specialised epithelial cells named enteroendocrine cells (EECs), which are scattered throughout the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), from the stomach to the hindgut. These cells form the largest endocrine organ in the body.

Inside out of ﬁsh taste sensing: from external cues to gut signals

Fish rely on different chemosensory systems for feeding. Firstly, they primarily use the olfactory system to locate and identify distant food sources that release attractive chemicals into the water. Secondly, to closely evaluate the chemical and nutritional properties of food, the gustatory system (or taste) is principally used to determine whether food items are eventually ingested or rejected.

Fish rely on diﬀerent chemosensory systems for feeding. Firstly, they primarily use the olfactory system to locate and iden?fy distant food sources that release aDrac?ve chemicals into the water Secondly, to closely evaluate the chemical and nutri?onal proper?es of food, the gustatory system (or taste) is principally used to determine whether food items are eventually ingested or rejected.

The GIT is an important interface between the body and the external environment, making it logical for fish to have the ability to sense various chemical substances - both beneficial and harmful - to control their intake, absorption, or expulsion, and inform the brain. This is part of what is known as the “gut-brain axis.”

Taste receptors, located in taste buds within the oral cavity and, in some ﬁsh species, also on external body surfaces, play a vital role by enabling the discrimina?on between nutrient-rich and poten?ally harmful foods, thereby guiding sensible alimentary choices. Addi?onally, the ﬁsh gustatory system exhibits unique features. Certain species, such as the caMish, possess the highest number of taste buds among vertebrates. Fish taste receptors have excep?onally high sensi?vity to taste compounds, and up 20% of the brain neural ?ssue mass can be dedicated to gusta?on.

Taste receptors, located in taste buds within the oral cavity and, in some fish species, also on external body surfaces, play a vital role by enabling the discrimination between nutrient-rich and potentially harmful foods, thereby guiding sensible alimentary choices.

Additionally, the fish gustatory system exhibits unique features. Certain species, such as the catfish, possess the highest number of taste buds among vertebrates. Fish taste receptors have exceptionally high sensitivity to taste compounds, and up 20% of the brain neural tissue mass can be dedicated to gustation.

On the other hand, taste sensing is not limited to sensory (neural) s?muli in oral ?ssues. It is now established that in ﬁsh, as in mammals, taste receptors are also found in specialised epithelial cells named enteroendocrine cells (EECs), which are scaDered throughout the gastrointes?nal tract (GIT), from the stomach to the hindgut. These cells form the largest endocrine organ in the body.

There are different types of EECs, each with specific taste receptors located on the luminal side, which secrete various peptides, such as ghrelin, cholecystokinin (CCK) or peptide YY (PYY). These peptides are key endocrine factors involved in the regulation of many physiological processes including appetite and gut transit rate, absorptive activities (epithelial cell proliferation, nutrient transport, and uptake) and metabolic functions.

Consequently, the taste receptors in the fish gut, responding to various chemostimulants, play a vital role in coordinating the body’s response to food as it travels through the GIT, ensuring an optimal intake, digestion, and assimilation of nutrients.

Figure 1. Taste receptors (TRs, shown in grey) are located in taste buds (TBs) within oral tissues – and, in some species, also on external body surfaces -, as well as in enteroendocrine cells (EECs) scattered throughout the gastrointestinal tract. When activated in the first case, they generate a sensory stimulus that reaches the central nervous system, while in the second, they trigger a peripheral enteroendocrine response. Together, this complex network of TRs regulates feed intake and feeding efficiency by responding to various chemostimulant substances in food.

26 Feed Technology

In conclusion, taste receptors are found throughout the fish’s body, from external to internal epithelial surfaces, and they play a crucial role in regulating both feed intake and feeding efficiency, by detecting highly soluble and low molecular weight chemical compounds being released by prey – or, in the context of aquaculture, by feed ingredients.

A high diversity of fish taste preferences

Another notable feature of fish taste, which underlies feeding preferences, is the high degree of speciesspecificity observed in nature. Behavioural studies assessing preferences for various amino acids and other taste-active substances have often revealed that even closely related species – whether genetically or in terms of their natural diets - can exhibit markedly different preferences.

to physiological or management-related stress. During these periods, it is important to motivate the fish to eat, to help them quickly recover normal intake levels. In addition, such periods commonly coincide with the dietary inclusion of a range of often unpalatable or aversive functional additives, like phytogenics, organic acids, or probiotics, aimed at boosting immune function. During these times, it is particularly important to enhance stimulatory feeding cues in the diets to meet the fish’s preferences.

Fish were fed at 3-5% body weight three ?mes daily. Environmental condi?ons were: temperature 28-30°C, dissolved oxygen (DO) ≥5.8 mg/L and salinity 20 ppt. The results revealed that the performance of the control diet containing only 15% fishmeal was subop?mal, despite being reinforced with krill and squid meal. This was indicated by the fact that supplementa?on with PE had a significant posi?ve impact in specific growth rate, feed intake and feed conversion ra?o (FCR), in a dose-dependent manner (Figure 3).

Conclusion

This has been associated with the great number and diversity of fish species – over 30,000 species, comprising approximately half of all vertebrates. It is believed that taste diversity, by enabling fish to cohabitate within the same ecological niches, has been one of the underlying factors contributing to their adaptative success across all global ecosystems.

The era of aquafeed palatability: Bringing taste to the table

Traditional aquafeeds rely heavily on fishmeal, which is a highly palatable ingredient due to its high content of water-soluble chemostimulants. Conversely, many alternative ingredients used to replace fishmeal, such as vegetable meals and concentrates, are quite poor in these compounds.

Understanding the mechanisms that promote food consump?on through aDrac?ve taste sensa?ons in fish can lead to prac?cal applica?ons in aquaculture, advancing the development of more efficient and environmentally friendly aquafeeds Strategies to reinforce feed aDractability and palatability are especially important when the sensory proper?es of aquafeeds limit their acceptability or when stress affects the fish’s mo?va?on to eat

“During these stressful periods, it is important to motivate the fish to eat, to help them quickly recover normal intake levels”

Reference

Not surprisingly, the number of publications including the terms “fish”, “feeds” and “palatability” in the Scopus database has increased exponentially since around 2005, coinciding with a significant reduction in fishmeal inclusion in aquafeeds (Figure 2). At the same time, the aquaculture industry started facing more frequent challenges with reduced feed intake, feeding efficiency and growth rates in farmed fish.

Albert G.J. Tacon, Marc Me?an, 2008. Global overview on the use of ﬁsh meal and ﬁsh oil in industrially compounded aquafeeds: Trends and future prospects, Aquaculture, 285:146-158. hDps://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2008.08.015.

-end-

From an aquaculture perspective, fish generally adapt to a single diet when no alternative is available, regardless of their preferences. However, in certain circumstances, failing to adequately meet the taste preferences of farmed fish can lead to poor feed intake and performance. This issue might be particularly relevant in species that are less domesticated to farming conditions.

Furthermore, even when fish readily accept aquafeeds with low palatability, periods of depressed appetite occur during the farming cycle – typically associated

To address these issues, specialty ingredients such as fish or squid by-products (e.g., solutes, pastes, hydrolysates) and krill are becoming more common in aquafeeds. These ingredients, typically included at 2-5% in diets, are used more for their palatability-enhancing properties than as nutrient sources, due to their rich contents of chemostimulants, albeit diluted. However, their use is often negatively affected by seasonal fluctuations in composition, availability, and price, as well as by potential accumulation of contaminants, such as heavy metals.

Soﬁa Morais, MSc, PhD, is the Innova?on AQUA Team Leader at Lucta S.A., Spain

Email: soﬁa.morais@lucta.com

Figure 2. Average percentage of fishmeal inclusion in aquafeeds for different fish species (coloured lines; data from Tacon & Me?an, 2008, Aquaculture 285:146-158) and number of publica?ons in Scopus database containing the terms “fish“ + "feeds“ + "palatability" (black line with square marker).January/February 2025

Figure 2. Average percentage of fishmeal inclusion in aquafeeds for different fish species (coloured lines; data from Tacon & Metian, 2008, and number of publications in Scopus database containing the terms “fish“ + “feeds“ + “palatability” (black line with square marker).

Barramundi feeding at Tullamore Barramundi Farm, south of Cardwell, Queensland. © CSIRO Land and Water

Table 1. Ingredients of the barramundi control basal formulation, from which the experimental treatments were prepared by adding 0.1%, 0.2% or 0.3% of palatability enhancer (PE, Luctamax® AQ).

Therefore, an emerging alternative is the use of sensory additives specifically formulated as concentrated mixtures of chemostimulants (of synthetic or natural origins) which are naturally found in preferred and highly palatable ingredients. These additives, included at low levels (typically 0.1–0.5%), effectively activate fish sensory systems while offering the advantages of standardised composition, consistent quality, and reliable availability.

“Sensory additives have the potential to become invaluable tools for nutritionists to bring taste into future novel aquafeed formulations.”

Sensory additives can be applied to enhance the palatability of feeds with reduced fishmeal levels, as illustrated below. Moreover, as many of the new and emerging protein sources making their way into aquafeeds are not natural elements of fish diets, these sensory additives have the potential to become invaluable tools for nutritionists to bring taste into future novel aquafeed formulations. For instance, single cell proteins, fermentation products of different waste streams, or even insect meals, are not recognised as food or are disliked by many farmed species.

Figure 3. Performance results during the 6-week growth trial of barramundi fed reduced fishmeal diets. The palatability enhancer (PE) was Luctamax® AQ added at 0.1%, 0.2% control basal diet with 15% fishmeal, 2% krill meal and 2% squid meal. Values represent ± standard devia?on of n=5 hapas. Bars (treatments) containing different leDers, in period, are sta?s?cally different (P<0.05, one-way ANOVA).

Figure 3. Performance results during the 6-week growth trial of barramundi fed reduced (15%) fishmeal diets. The palatability enhancer (PE) was Luctamax® AQ added at 0.1%, 0.2% and 0.3% to a control basal diet with 15% fishmeal, 2% krill meal and 2% squid meal. Values represent the average ± standard deviation of n=5 hapas. Bars (treatments) containing different letters, in each sampling period, are statistically different (P<0.05, one-way ANOVA).

In this context, supplementing feeds with chemosensory active substances that help fish recognise the feed as an attractive food source, while also stimulating an appropriate gastrointestinal response, will be key in ensuring that these novel and nutrient-rich ingredients can be effectively used to their full potential.

Palatability solutions: Enhancing feed intake and performance of reduced fishmeal diets

The most common application of specialty ingredients and palatability additives is to improve feed intake and performance of reduced fishmeal diets, especially for carnivorous species traditionally fed high levels of fishmeal. One example is Asian seabass or barramundi ( Lates calcarifer ) where commercial starter feeds usually contain around 30% fishmeal.

To illustrate the benefit of sensory additives in diet formulations, a trial was performed in Kasetsart University, Thailand testing a dose-response to a palatability enhancer (PE) from Lucta (Luctamax® AQ) which was added at 0.1%, 0.2% and 0.3% to a control basal diet with 15% fishmeal, 2% krill meal and 2% squid meal (CTRL; formulation shown in Table 1). Barramundi with an initial weight of 13.7 ± 0.46g were reared for 6 weeks in 20 hapas (2x1x1.5m) in an earthen pond, with 20 fish/ cage, and 5 replicates/treatment. Fish were fed at 3-5% body weight three times daily. Environmental conditions were: temperature 28-30°C, dissolved oxygen (DO) ≥5.8 mg/L and salinity 20 ppt. The results revealed that the performance of the control diet containing only 15% fishmeal was suboptimal, despite being reinforced with krill and squid meal. This was indicated by the fact that supplementation with PE had a significant positive impact in specific growth rate, feed intake and feed conversion ratio (FCR), in a dose-dependent manner (Figure 3).

Conclusion

Understanding the mechanisms that promote food consumption through attractive taste sensations in fish can lead to practical applications in aquaculture, advancing the development of more efficient and environmentally friendly aquafeeds. Strategies to reinforce feed attractability and palatability are especially important when the sensory properties of aquafeeds limit their acceptability or when stress affects the fish’s motivation to eat.

Reference

Albert G.J. Tacon, Marc Metian, 2008. Global overview on the use of fish meal and fish oil in industrially compounded aquafeeds: Trends and future prospects, Aquaculture, 285:146158. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2008.08.015.

Sofia Morais, MSc, PhD, is the Innovation AQUA Team Leader at Lucta S.A., Spain. Email: sofia.morais@lucta.com

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The EHP threat in shrimp aquaculture: Challenges, consequences and prevention

The

latest

advances in managing Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei, from the laboratory to the pond side

By Sophie Reys, Pierre Fortin and Nicolas Tanrattana

4pp

FAITT, Andhra Pradesh, India 2024.

TThe EHP threat in shrimp aquaculture: Challenges, consequences and prevention

exist such as through cannibalism or from external environments. When a susceptible shrimp ingests the parasite, it germinates in the digestive tract, injecting spores into the epithelial cells of the hepatopancreas. Inside these cells, the spores proliferate and produce new spores, which are then released back into the pond water, continuing the infection cycle (Chaijarasphong et al., 2021).

The latest advances in managing Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei, from the laboratory to the pond side by Sophie Reys, Pierre Fortin and Nicolas Tanrattana

he microsporidian parasite Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP) has emerged as a major threat to the shrimp aquaculture industry, notably impacting production in Asia’s major shrimp-farming regions, including Thailand, Vietnam, China and India (Kmmari et al., 2018). EHP infections have devastating consequences on shrimp health and growth, translating into significant economic losses for farmers and affecting the supply chain on a global scale. Understanding EHP’s life cycle, pathogenesis and transmission is essential for developing effective control strategies to mitigate these impacts.

The life cycle, transmission and impact on shrimp farming

The microsporidian parasite Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP) has emerged as a major threat to the shrimp aquaculture industry, notably impacting production in Asia’s major shrimp-farming regions, including Thailand, Vietnam, China and India (Kmmari et al., 2018). EHP infections have devastating consequences on shrimp health and growth, translating into significant economic losses for farmers and affecting the supply chain on a global scale. Understanding EHP's life cycle, pathogenesis and transmission is essential for developing effective control strategies to mitigate these impacts.

EHP primarily infects the hepatopancreas - the critical digestive and metabolic organ of shrimp. The life cycle of EHP is typical of microsporidians, involving a highly resistant spore stage that facilitates its spread and persistence in the environment. EHP spores are released into the pond environment through the faeces of infected shrimp, leading to waterborne transmission. Other transmission routes also

The life cycle, transmission and impact on shrimp farming. EHP primarily infects the hepatopancreas - the critical digestive and metabolic organ of shrimp. The life cycle of EHP is typical of microsporidians, involving a highly resistant spore stage that facilitates its spread and persistence in the environment. EHP spores are released into the pond environment through the faeces of infected shrimp, leading to waterborne transmission. Other transmission routes also exist such as through cannibalism or from external environments. When a susceptible shrimp ingests the parasite, it germinates in the digestive tract, injecting spores into the epithelial cells of the hepatopancreas. Inside these cells, the spores proliferate and produce new spores, which are then released back into the pond water, continuing the infection cycle. This intracellular nature of EHP allows it to evade the shrimp's immune system, making it particularly challenging to control (Chaijarasphong et al., 2021)

Outbreaks of EHP are often linked to environmental and management factors in shrimp farming. Poor water quality, high stocking densities and inadequate biosecurity measures create favourable conditions for its spread. In several cases, EHP co-occurs with opportunistic pathogens, such as Vibrio bacteria, which exacerbates the disease impact and complicates treatment. EHP infections have been observed in asymptomatic shrimp, which act as reservoirs of the parasite, and potentially spreading it to uninfected stocks. Moreover, EHP spores are highly resistant to environmental stress, allowing them to persist in pond sediments for extended periods, even after pond drying or other disinfection measures, making it difficult to eradicate from affected farms (Kmmari et al., 2018).

FAITT, Andhra Pradesh, India 2024.

Figure 1. The intracellular nature of EHP allows it to evade the shrimp's immune system, making it particularly challenging to control (Chaijarasphong et al., 2021).

Figure 1. Schematics illustrating the life cycle and transmission routes of EHP (Chaijarasphong et al., 2021).

The consequences of EHP infection in shrimp extend beyond health impacts, with severe implications for both growth performance and feed efficiency. Infected shrimp typically exhibit reduced growth rates, and increased feed conversion ratio (FCR) and mortality, all of which directly affect the productivity and profitability of shrimp farms. The reduction in growth rate is attributed to the damage EHP inflicts on the hepatopancreatic cells, impairing nutrient absorption and metabolic functions.

As a result, shrimp infected with EHP may take significantly longer to reach market size, thus increasing the operational costs of shrimp farming. FCR, a critical zootechnical parameter, is adversely affected by EHP, as infected shrimp require more feed to achieve minimal growth, leading to increased production costs. As EHP continues to pose significant challenges for shrimp farmers, developing innovative and practical solutions to safeguard shrimp health and ensure the economic viability of aquaculture operations remains a priority (Kumar et al., 2022).

Developing natural based interventions

In aquaculture, various parasites are known to affect the industry: Lepeophtheirus salmonis which affects the skin of salmon; Sparicotyle chrysophrii which infests the gills of European seabream, or gregarines affect shrimp gut (Buchmann, 2022). For some of these parasites, natural based solutions exist. Indeed, several compounds are known to be effective. Among them, short and medium chain fatty acids (SCFAs or MCFAs) can disrupt the lipid membrane of parasites, notably capric, caprylic and lauric acids.

Essential oils are also recognised for their antiparasitic and repellent properties, as they act on the hormonal and nervous systems of parasites, thereby reducing their activity (e.g., feeding, reproduction, etc.). Other plantbased molecules, such as phenolic compounds and terpenes, are also effective antiparasitic compounds, as they inhibit enzymatic processes critical to parasite survival (Kumar et al., 2022 ; Chaijarasphong et al., 2021). Given the numerous active ingredients available and the lack of information regarding their efficacy against E. hepatopenaei, Techna (France) developed three different products/blends based on plant extracts to potentially limit EHP infestations in shrimp.

In vitro inhibition of spore germination

This is the first step towards selection of active ingredients. To evaluate and compare the efficacy of these products, an initial in vitro experiment was conducted in collaboration with ShrimpVet Laboratory in 2023. This study observed the inhibition effects of various products on EHP spore germination in vitro. Spores, which are notably resilient in many parasitic and bacterial life cycles, must germinate to become virulent. Therefore, targeting this critical phase of the EHP life cycle offers a promising intervention strategy. Additionally, this approach facilitates the laboratorybased screening of active molecules.

The experimental protocol was as follows: hepatopancreas of EHP-infected shrimp were dissected, then homogenised, centrifuged, and filtered twice to isolate the EHP spores. They were then suspended in Hank’s balanced salt solution. Density was measured with a hemocytometer. At room temperature (25-28°C), spores can germinate.

Germination was visually assessed by examining 100 spores under a microscope (x 1000) to see if flagella had developed (indicating EHP spores have germinated; Figure 2). This method allows the measurement of germination rates, where 100% reflects full germination and 0% no germination.

Figure 2. Germinated EHP spores seen under a microscope (x 1000) with flagella (arrowed, indicating EHP spore germination (left) and compared to non-germinated EHP spores (right). Courtesy: ShrimpVet Laboratory.

www.groupe-techna.com

32 Feed Technology

Three plant-based products, including two essential oil blends, and one phenolic compound blend were tested at graded concentrations (from 0.00195% to 2%) in Hank’s balanced salt solution, in order to evaluate their capacity to inhibit EHP spore germination and to compare the efficacy of products at different concentrations.

Results, as illustrated in Figure 3, indicated that all three plant-based products inhibited EHP spore germination, but to varying degrees. At 2% concentration of any of the blends, spores did not germinate. At intermediate concentrations (0.0625% to 0.125%), the phenolic blend exhibited strong inhibitory effects, with germination rates between 4% and 7% only. The essential oil blend #2 also demonstrated interesting effects with about 50-54% germination, while the other essential oil blend #1 showed limited efficacy, with a germination rate of 96%. Even at the lowest concentration (0.00195%), the phenolic blend still reduced germination rates to 78%. These results validate the potential of certain plant-based ingredients to inhibit EHP spore germination in vitro

There were four dietary treatments:

1. Negative control (no EHP challenge, fed with control feed)

2. Positive control (challenged with EHP, fed with control feed)

3. Two treatment groups challenged with EHP but fed with EHPROTECT at 2 and 4kg/tonne, mixed into the feed prior to production.

There were six replicates of each treatment with 50 shrimp/tank. Shrimp had an initial weight of 1.6g. The trial timeline included:

- 1-day acclimation phase

- 14-day pre-challenge phase including treatment at respective doses

- 7-day challenge phase with EHP-inoculated feed (except for the negative control)

- 28-day post-challenge observation to monitor the effects of EHP infection and assess the impact of the product.

Three plant-based products, including two essential oil blends, and one phenolic compound blend were tested at graded concentrations (from 0.00195% to 2%) in Hank’s balanced salt solution. These evaluated their capacity to inhibit EHP spore germination and compared the efficacy of products at different concentrations.

The data were analysed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey test to determine significant differences at p<0.05.

Following this initial experiment, a product called EHPROTECT was formulated using phenolic plant extracts and the most effective essential oil blend (#2). This product also includes MCFAs, which, in combination with phenolic compounds and essential oils, work synergistically by disrupting lipid membranes and negatively impacting the hormonal, enzymatic and nervous systems of parasites.

Germination rate (%)

Results of this trial showed that EHP infection negatively impacted survival, final weight, feed conversion ratio (FCR), and final biomass (Figures 4-6). It also highlights the benefits of using EHPROTECT in shrimp infected by EHP.

Positive effects on survival and growth

At the end of the trial, survival rates from the first day of infection to the last day were recorded. The negative control group had a survival rate of 92.0%, while the positive control group (EHP-challenged, no treatment) had a reduced survival rate of 71.7%. In contrast, shrimp receiving the treatment exhibited improved survival rates of 79.3% at 2kg/tonne and 86.7% at 4kg/tonne, demonstrating a dose-dependent improvement in survival (Figure 4).

EHP infection had a significant negative effect on growth. The negative control group showed an average final weight of 15.4g by the end of the trial, whereas the positive control group had a much lower final weight of 7.9g. The treatment groups partially restored growth,

Validating a combination of plant ingredients to limit the negative impact of EHP on shrimp

At intermediate concentrations (0.0625% to 0.125%), the phenolic blend exhibited strong inhibitory effects, with germination rates between 4% and 7% only The essential oil blend #2 also demonstrated interesting effects with about 50-54% germination, while the other essential oil blend #1 showed limited efficacy, with a germination rate of 96%. Even at the lowest concentration (0.00195%), the phenolic blend still reduced germination rates to 78%. These results validate the potential of certain plant-based ingredients to inhibit EHP spore germination in vitro.

A second in vivo trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and optimal dosage of EHPROTECT in EHPinfected shrimp under controlled conditions. This study was also performed in collaboration with ShrimpVet Laboratory, from June to July 2024. The aim of this trial was to assess the impact of this blend on survival, growth and zootechnical parameters of EHP-infected shrimp. Additionally, the aim was also to determine the doseresponse relationship of the product.

Specific pathogen free (SPF) shrimp were placed in 250L tanks filled with 20ppt salinity water and were subjected to a standardised EHP challenge developed by ShrimpVet. EHP were collected from the faeces of infected shrimp; protocols were standardised to create an inoculum and coated onto the shrimp feed. The EHP load in the feed was monitored to ensure exposure, with EHP counts ranging from 1.7 x 106 to 5.44 x 106 spores.

evolution during EHP challenge and observation phases. Values with the different letters indicate significant difference at p<0.05).

Figure 3. In vitro EHP spore germination with graded concentrations of plant extract blends (ShrimpVet Laboratory, 2023)

Essential oil Blend #1

Essential oils Blend #2

Phenolic Blend

Figure 4. Survival evolution during EHP challenge and observation phases Values with indicate significant difference at P<0.05)

Figure 4. Survival

Figure 3. In vitro EHP spore germination with graded concentrations of plant extract blends (ShrimpVet Laboratory, 2023)

with average final weights of 9.2g (2kg/tonne) and 11.5g (4kg/tonne). This shows that the EHPROTECT mitigated the adverse effects of EHP, with growth improvement of approximately 17% for the 2kg/tonne dose and 46% for the 4kg/tonne dose, compared to the positive control (Figure 5).

4. Survival evolution during EHP challenge and observation phases Values with the different letters indicate significant difference at P<0.05)

by over 50% in the positive control group compared to the negative control. Despite these severe infection conditions, the product demonstrated very promising results in controlling EHP parasites. Based on these findings, a dose of 4kg/tonne of feed could help reduce the impact on already infected shrimp, while a dose of 2kg/tonne of feed could be used as a preventive measure for farms and ponds with a history of EHP or where the pathogen is present in the surrounding environment.

Managing EHP infection during a farming cycle: A case study in India

Field observations from India further validated the findings of these ShrimpVet trials. In August 2024, a farm in West Godavari, Andhra Pradesh, faced a severe EHP outbreak in a 2ha pond stocked with 800,000 post larvae (40 PL/m²). To manage the outbreak, the stock was split in two different ponds, both adjusted to a density of 25 PL/m². In one of the ponds, the product was top coated onto the feed at a dose of 5g/kg for the first and last of four daily meals. This treatment resulted in a significant reduction in mortality, which allowed the crop to continue, providing some revenue for the farmer. The untreated pond had to be harvested early due to high mortality rates.

Conclusion

Figure 5. Individual final weight and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of shrimp at the end of the EHP challenge trial. Values with the different letters indicate significant difference at P<0.05)

Due to increased mortality and reduced growth, FCR of the positive control group was strongly impacted, reaching 3.66, which is 2.79 times higher than the negative control value which was 1.31. However, in treated groups FCR improved, showing a 1.72 fold decrease for the 2kg/ tonne dose (2.13) and a 2.27 fold decrease for the 4kg/ tonne dose (1.61) compared to the positive control. This FCR improvement indicates better feed efficiency in EHP-infected shrimp treated with EHPROTECT, with the highest efficacy observed at the 4kg/tonne dose (Figure 5).

At the end of the trial, the final biomass in the positive control group was 244.7g, a significant reduction of 2.54 times compared to the negative control (621.6g). In contrast, the treated groups exhibited higher final biomass compared to the positive control, reaching 362.5g (2kg/tonne dose) and 469.0g (4kg/tonne dose); representing 48% and 92% increases in biomass, respectively (Figure 6).

In this trial, the effects of EHP on shrimp were quite pronounced. These were likely due to the infection method method and the high EHP count used. Mortality and FCR were more than double and growth were reduced

EHP remains a significant threat for shrimp farmers, particularly in Asia. Given the high economic risk associated with its outbreaks, robust biosecurity and prophylactic measures are essential while full eradication of the pathogen is challenging. Functional feeds and supplements, such as EHPROTECT, offer a promising approach by limiting EHP impacts through various mechanisms. These findings suggest that this blend could serve as both a preventive and a treatment strategy in EHP-affected areas.

References

Buchmann K., 2022, Control of parasitic diseases in aquaculture. Parasitology. 2022 Dec; 149 (14): 1985-1997. doi: 10.1017/ S0031182022001093. Chaijarasphong, T., Munkongwongsiri, N., Stentiford, et al., 2021. The shrimp microsporidian Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP): Biology, pathology, diagnostics and control, Journal of Invertebrate Pathology, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jip.2020.107458 Kmmari S., Rathlavath, S., Pillai, D., Rajesh, G., 2018. Hepatopancreatic Microsporidiasis (HPM) in Shrimp Culture: A Review. Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci. 7(1): 3208-3215. doi:10.20546/ijcmas.2018.701.383 Kumar, T.S., Praveena, P.E., Sivaramakrishnan, T., et al., 2022. Effect of Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP) infection on physiology, metabolism, immunity, and growth of Penaeus vannamei, Aquaculture, 553: 738105, https://doi.org/10.1016/j. aquaculture.2022.738105

Sophie Reys is R&D Project Manager Email: sophie.reys@groupe-techna.com

Pierre Fortin is Aquaculture Manager

Email: pierre.fortin@groupe-techna.com

Nicolas Tanrattana is Aquaculture Nutritionist

Email: nicolas.tanrattana@groupe-techna.com

All authors are with Techna, France

Figure 5. Individual final weight and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of shrimp at the end of the EHP challenge trial. Values with the different letters indicate significant difference at p<0.05).

Figure 6. Final biomass of shrimp at the end of the EHP challenge trial Values with the different letters indicate significant difference at P<0.05)

Figure 6. Final biomass of shrimp at the end of the EHP challenge trial. Values with

Figure

“Rise” for Asia’s farmed shrimp industry

Toward the end of each year, dsm-firmenich organises the annual Asia Pacific Aquaculture Conference, usually in Bangkok, Thailand. However, in 2024, the 29th conference was atypically hosted in Nagoya, Japan, bringing together an exclusive group of participants from 14 countries on October 15, 2024.

Achyuth Iyengar , Regional Head of Marketing for Greater APAC (Asia Pacific), shared insights on the conference theme “Rise” and what it signifies for the dsm-firmenich team. “Rise means resilience. It goes beyond mere success; it stems from experiences and learnings. Unfortunately, the shrimp industry is currently experiencing a situation where demand is lower than supply, and Asia’s share of global supply is shrinking.”

In 5-10 years, what will be the options for the Asian shrimp industry? “The roots of shrimp farming lie in Asia. However, our focus needs to shift from merely addressing supply to understanding our customers’ buying preferences and their social obligations. How do we overcome the barriers to seafood consumption and how will demand change from a price standpoint?”

Key to unlocking future potential lies in understanding markets. This requires an in-depth look at demographics. With 30% of the global population being Generation Z, it is crucial to know their preferences. Understanding the consumers in China’s tier 1-3 cities is vital, as China is the largest shrimp market.

On turning the tide for Asian producers, Iyengar highlighted the success of the Norwegian and Chilean salmon, achieved mainly through active stakeholders’ collaboration within each country. “We should consider regional or country-wide differentiation of Asian shrimp, such as through pigmentation, since we know that Chinese consumers are willing to pay 10% more for darker shrimp. dsm-firmenich, in partnership with leading integrators focuses on nutritional technology and sustainability through our SustellTM platform.”

Looking ahead, Iyengar announced that the team will focus more on the risks associated with dietary exposure to plant meals in formulations, particularly regarding various mycotoxins and their effects on performance. The aquaculture-specific laboratory will also embark on projects aimed at providing immune support against diseases for specific customers. In Q1 2025, customers will have the option to use the company’s small-scale liquid applicator to determine the optimal coating system for better recovery, based on formulations and processing conditions.

This 29th edition featured presentations covering shrimp aquaculture, beginning with a global shrimp supply and demand outlook, marketing shrimp in Asia, pond management, and in post-harvest, the search for natural additives to counter melanosis. Another group of presentations dealt with enzymes and probiotics and on raw materials in feeds.

Global shrimp: Demand, supply and price outlook

Ronnie Tan , Aquaculture Consultant, US Grains Council, Malaysia, said “Prices have been a roller coaster over the past 4 years and to make sense of all of this, we need to look at different dimensions affecting them.” He divided his presentation into five scenes.

In scene 1, Tan described US shrimp prices and market dynamics. With the Covid lockdown in 2020, restaurants closed, prices fell and when the US consumers began to cook shrimp at home, prices stabilised. When restaurants re-opened in 2021, there was revenge dining, prices shot up, since US inventory was low due to disruptions in sea freight. In 2022, prices started easing because of the high volumes imported into the US. In 2023, the overproduction caused prices to come down.

“By 2024, wholesale shrimp prices reached 20-year lows. So why is demand still low? This is because this price drop has not yet been reflected at retail prices.”

Markets

Scene 2 focuses on the largest markets for shrimp, which are China, US, and the EU, and highlighted the price elasticity of shrimp. Tan emphasised the significant role of China and US in driving shrimp demand and the challenges faced by these markets.

China had record shrimp imports of 987,601 tonnes in 2023, but this is expected to stagnate. It is the major market for Ecuador’s head on shell on (HOSO) shrimp. By August 2024, imports reached 630,000 tonnes, showing a 10% year-on-year decrease and prices were 6% less at USD4.97/kg. The forecast for 2024 was 900,000 tonnes.

In 2023, the US imported 785,837 tonnes of shrimp from its top suppliers - India, Ecuador, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, and Mexico. By July 2024, US imports were 410,821 tonnes - a 4% year-on-year decrease. US frozen seafood sales volume increased by 2.9% year-onyear, but prices dropped by 6.3%, with affordability being a key issue.

EU shrimp imports by July 2024 were 275,000 tonnes, a 5% increase yearon-year. Overall, the top four markets, including Japan, contributed 2.6 million tonnes to the global volume.

Production dynamics and challenges

Scene 3 gave the story on the supply side of global farmed shrimp, highlighting key production and export data, particularly from Ecuador, China, India, and Indonesia. The global shrimp production in 2023 was 5.15 million tonnes.

Tan said that Ecuador, as the key producer, is expected to show lower growth in 2024 due to slow demand and lower prices. The forecast is a production of 1.535 million tonnes, a 6% increase over that in 2023, and 1.265 million tonnes of export. China is also a producer, estimated at 1.15 million tonnes in 2023. India produced 800,000 tonnes in 2023. For the first crop in 2024, stocking was 20% lower. Up to July 2024, India increased its shrimp exports by 4%. Vietnam produced 440,000 tonnes of vannamei shrimp in 2023, while Indonesia and Thailand produced 320,000 and 270,000 tonnes, respectively.

Indonesia’s dilemma

Ronnie Tan said, “Overall, the equilibrium between demand and supply is not expected to change significantly, and low prices may become the new normal.”

Scene 4 discussed the double whammy situation in Indonesia. It depends heavily on the US market at 70% of exports and faces the impact of US anti-dumping (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) rates adding 6.30%. Indonesia’s exports to the US have dropped by 15% year-to-date July 2024.

Tan reckoned that looking for other markets will be challenging as Indonesia’s ‘soaking’ practice does not meet EU+UK and China’s specifications. The EU+UK markets will require certification. “China demands HOSO with less certification so Indonesia can pivot to take advantage of China’s market. However, remaining status quo means limiting its play to only 38% of the top four global markets.”

Shrimp price outlook for 2024

In scene 5, Tan said, “This is what industry always wants to know, but we cannot see any upside in prices for the moment. Demand is not expected to improve over 2023. Growth is only seen in the EU market, and China’s economy is not expected to lift demand further.

“Supply, led by Ecuador will not contract despite low prices. High production costs will affect Vietnam’s growth. Low prices are likely to persist while growth in domestic consumption will take time. The good news is that we expect feed costs to be cheaper, helping production costs. Productivity and efficiency will be crucial. Survival rates will have to improve and Asia has to be competitive.”

“Overall, the equilibrium between demand and supply is not expected to change significantly, and low prices may become the new normal,” concluded Tan.

How the Asian region can win together

Chingling Tanco , Managing Director at Mida Trade Ventures Intl Inc, a leading seafood importer and exporter, discussed the challenges and opportunities in the Asian seafood market, particularly in relation to competition with Ecuador. A recurring theme in her presentation is how Asian producers need to learn to produce HOSO shrimp equivalent to that of Ecuador and enter this market in China and the region. Critical

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for product quality is how to avoid the bursting of the hepatopancreas, so that the HOSO shrimp can be frozen and sent to China for distribution to remote areas and be refreshed and have a quality similar to freshly harvested shrimp.

“This audience is mainly from the feed segment; I stress that knowing and understanding the seafood segment can show how industry can work together. A challenge for feed millers is to help produce HOSO with strong and stable hepatopancreas and improve cooking yields of peeled shrimp to be comparable to yields from Latin American producers,” said Tanco.

Markets and suppliers

There were 2.5 million tonnes of demand versus 3.5 million tonnes of supply in 2024. Market leaders are now China, US and Europe.

China imports 700,000 tonnes of mainly quality HOSO shrimp from Ecuador. Tanco believes that Asia can have a foothold into this market with large sizes and premium shrimp, It has a local production of almost 2 million tonnes of shrimp.

The US is a volume market importing mainly peeled and ezpeeled and cooked shrimp for retail markets and in small sizes. It is a homogenous market with packaging in one language and less demanding with regards to certification. It has the highest consumption of shrimp at 4.9kg per capita. “It is this homogeneity and size of the market, coupled with relatively uncomplicated packaging, which makes it the simplest market to supply. Indonesia, particularly, and to an extent India quickly took over this market, often at times in a rush to make the cheapest form of the peeled and ezpeeled commodity,” noted Tanco.

Europe is a complicated market with many countries and 8-9 languages. The demand is for small volumes and high variation. Western or northwestern Europe prefers value added shrimp while markets in southern Europe, import HOSO shrimp, mainly from Ecuador. “The criteria is beautiful cooked HOSO shrimp processed in Europe, under European standards, from certified imported raw material,” said Tanco.

“European buyers are serious on sustainability. They prefer Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certification which is more difficult to achieve. However, Vietnam’s producers have managed well with government support on certification and has dominated the Asian supply to Europe with a wide variety of value added shrimp – breaded, battered, ready to cook shrimp products.” Tanco also described some requirements such as no broodstock ablation at the hatchery and good animal welfare practices in killing shrimp.

India has 180,000ha of mainly small farms. The advantages are low labour cost and a modernised processing segment. Some 80% of its shrimp is exported to the US as peeled frozen. In Europe, Indian shrimp dominate ethnic markets in the UK. Vietnam is the biggest supplier of value-added and peeled shrimp to Europe, but volumes have dropped since 2023.

“With more processing capacity than supply, Indonesian farmers have been winners over the last 30 years. Processors in Indonesia dominate the large volume contracts of ezpeeled shrimp to the US at the cheapest prices.”

Chingling Tanco emphasised that, “We need to focus on collaboration and improvement to compete effectively in the global market, particularly against strong players like Ecuador and continue our efforts to reduce production costs.”

Is Ecuador a threat or example?

“Ecuador has 250,000ha of farming area and is strong in all three shrimp markets. The competitive advantage is the capacity to produce excellent HOSO shrimp that can be defrosted and sold as refreshed HO shrimp with no black head caused by the bursting hepatopancreas and can produce continuously all year round.” Tanco added that Ecuador also has the advantages of a short transit of two weeks to the US. For the US market, its processors had to learn how to peel or invest in mechanisation to peel shrimp. It undoubtedly will improve its market share for peeled shrimp in the US.

Tanco argued that technification in aquaculture (and processing), is considered affordable by the economies of scale of large companies like Santa Priscilla, Omarsa, and Songa. They grew over the years organically with a high degree of integration, Ecuador shrimp could have the lowest production cost. The top three companies in Ecuador have 40% of production while the share of the top three in India, is 10%.

“Ecuador shrimp are now entering markets in Southeast Asia as well. While we need to understand this supply threat, we can use it as a model. Asia should develop brands and premium products, such as large HOSO cooked from live shrimp, and dark-coloured or super red shrimp, when cooked. We need to focus on collaboration and improvement to compete effectively in the global market, particularly against strong players like Ecuador and continue our efforts to reduce production costs. Lastly, building and strengthening domestic markets is key, as seen in Thailand, which now has 30% domestic consumption. Governments should focus on modernisation and sustainability certifications rather than protectionism.”

These initiatives aim to enhance the competitiveness of Asian shrimp producers by improving product quality, reducing costs, and expanding market reach both domestically and internationally.

From left, Bernard Lim and Bettina Valerie Lim, Hoc Po Feeds Corporation, Rina Charisse Onte, dsm-firmenich Account Manager, dsm-firmenich and Harvey Uy, Feedmix Inc, Philippines.

Protecting shrimp value and quality

Dr Nilesh Nirmal from the Institute of Nutrition, Mahidol University, Thailand, shared his research findings on shrimp quality control, specifically focusing on using natural additives to prevent melanosis and redhead formation.

Photograph of fresh shrimp and blackening of white shrimp during 10 days of iced storage. Source: How to protect your shrimp value and quality from pre & post-harvesting perspectives, Nilesh Nirmal at the dsm-firmenich Aquaculture Conference, Nagoya, Japan, October 15, 2024.

The effect of catechin concentration (0.01% to 0.1%) on PPO inhibition in white shrimp was studied through in-vitro analysis. The results showed that increasing concentrations of catechin to 0.1% led to greater inhibition of PPO activity. In the case of ferulic acid, the inhibition level of PPO was best at 2% inclusion. “I believe catechin could be more promising since lower concentrations are more active for PPO inhibition and against Vibros too.”

Photograph of fresh shrimp and blackening of white shrimp during 10 days of iced storage Source: How to protect your shrimp value and quality from pre & post-harvesting perspectives Nilesh Nirmal at the dsm-ﬁrmenich Aquaculture Conference, Nagoya, Japan, October laboratory worked on the inhibition of melanosis using natural bioactive compounds. context, various phenolic compounds including catechin, caWeic acid, ferulic acid, were investigated. However, caWeic acid and tannic acid solutions were ruled out an undesirable brown colour in treated shrimp. Tests continued with catechin

Melanosis, commonly known as “black spot, is a postharvest quality issue in shrimp and other crustaceans characterised by the formation of dark spots or discoloration on the shell and flesh. This condition is primarily caused by the enzymatic activity of polyphenol oxidase (PPO). This copper-containing enzyme catalyses the oxidation of tyrosine to quinones, which then polymerize to form melanin, resulting in the blackening of the shrimp.

Melanosis

Field application of ferulic acid and catechin treatments on melanosis was carried out by immersing whole white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei in solutions of these compounds and storing them in ice over 10 days. The results showed that both ferulic acid and catechin effectively reduced melanosis in a dose-dependent manner. Samples were tested every two days. There was also a comparison with shrimp treated with 1.25% sodium metabisulphite (SMS), a common industry practice to counteract the onset of melanosis.

These treatments also helped retard microbiological growth and lipid oxidation, making them promising natural alternatives to synthetic additives for maintaining shrimp quality.

Red head formation

eWect of catechin concentration (0.01% to 0.1%) on PPO inhibition in white shrimp studied through in-vitro analysis. The results showed that increasing concentrations catechin to 0.1% led to greater inhibition of PPO activity. In the case of ferulic acid, of PPO was best at 2% inclusion. “I believe catechin could be more promising concentrations are more active for PPO inhibition and against Vibros too.”

His laboratory worked on the inhibition of melanosis using natural bioactive compounds. In this context, various phenolic compounds including catechin, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, tannic acid, etc. were investigated. However, caffeic acid and tannic acid solutions were ruled out as they gave an undesirable brown colour in treated shrimp. Tests continued with catechin and ferulic acid.

Nilesh Nirmal said, “I believe catechin could be more promising since lower concentrations are more active for PPO inhibition and against Vibros too.”

The first investigation was to understand redhead formation by looking into the biochemistry of the hepatopancreas which has digestive enzymes, hemolymph, oxyhemocyanin, superoxide dismutase and catalase. “Factors causing redheads are environmental stress from inappropriate temperatures during harvesting and processing, poor water and feed quality and oxygen levels. Oxidative stress disrupts the homeostasis of antioxidative and immunological responses in shrimp. Low salinity (3%) increases the activity of hemocyanin.”

After post-harvest, hemocyanin converts to a PPOlike enzyme, initiated by proteinase enzymes in the hepatopancreas. However, as an oxygen carrier, hemocyanin is present at higher levels than PPO. Control is via antioxidants and good-quality feeds.

Citing studies showing that low salinity (3%) increases digestive and antioxidant enzymes, hemolymph and oxyhaemocyanin (Li et al., 2008), Nirmal recommended farming L. vannamei at higher salinity (17 – 20ppt) to avoid postharvest blackening or redhead formation. A burst hepatopancreas which is red shows the onset of decomposition i.e. oxidation of pigment and bacterial proliferation, while an orange colour shows an advanced stage of this process.

Achyuth Iyengar, Regional Head of Marketing for Greater APAC (middle) and team. From left, Abung Simanjuntak, Technical Expert Manager; Dr Rutchanee Chotikachinda, Aqua Technical Expert Manager, Chiow Yen Liew, Aqua Marketing and Supamat Tantipaswasin, Account Manager.

Combating an early onset of pond ageing

In shrimp farming, as the culture progresses, there is an influx of nutrient buildup and organic matter decomposition from dead shrimp, bacteria, algae, faeces, uneaten feeds, and metabolic wastes. In Asia, most farms have incorporated “shrimp toilets” which are structures to collect uneaten feeds, dead shrimp and metabolic wastes.

In her presentation, Chiow Yen Liew, Aqua Marketing GAPAC, dsm-firmenich goes further to discuss pond ageing and steps to have ponds age steadily, either at the same pace or slower than scheduled days of culture (DOC). “The goal of any shrimp farmer is to ensure pond conditions remain stable and age steadily, supporting a healthy and productive crop to the end of each cycle. Pond ageing matters. The farmer does not want ponds to be older than the chronological age.”

Each pond ages differently and at varying speeds. However, understanding pond dynamics is essential for maintaining pond health.

Reducing pond ageing

Going through the characteristics of pond ageing, Liew shared in detail the parameters.

“There is no right or wrong model but using pond probiotics, the farmer can buy time through an efficient decomposition rate and delay the increase of nutrient loading and extend DOC,” said Chiow Yen Liew.

protein, from high (35%) to medium (32%) and low (30%). “High protein feed increases the levels of phosphate and ammonium faster than lower protein feed, leading to quicker nutrient build-up and pond ageing. In turn, higher phosphate loading accelerates ageing by binding with sediments and total dissolved solids, decreasing oxygen levels. These disrupt pond balance and reduce carrying capacity. Plankton profiles, such as dinoflagellates and blue-green algae require different management strategies,” said Liew.

“ There is no probiotics, the farmer can buy time through an eEicient increase of nutrient loading and extend DOC,” said

“Firstly, we focus on levels of phosphorus and nitrogen which are indicators of nutrient build-up. We can reduce nutrient waste by choosing a balanced and more digestible feed with adequate protein content.

Stocking density

Liew described studies on how enzymes improved feed digestibility by 24% with high crude protein (46% CP) soybean meal and almost 31% with fermented soybean meal (56% CP). Phosphorus output (mg/L) into the pond water reduced with the addition of phytase and that of nitrogen was reduced with the addition of phytase and ProAct (a protease product). Notwithstanding for nitrogen or phosphorus, marginal reductions in output were shown with single additions of either phytase or protease but double-digit reductions (18.1% and 31.7%, respectively) occurred with higher dosages of both enzymes (Figure 1).

Stocking density

Different stocking densities impact ageing parameters in ponds. Higher stocking density (277PL/m²) results in increased levels of phosphate (PO43-), nitrite (NO2), ammonium (NH4+), and nitrate (NO3) compared to lower stocking density (157PL/m²). “There is no right or wrong model but just that the former requires more intensive management to maintain water quality and pond health,” said Liew, adding, “Using pond probiotics and enzymes, farmers can buy time through an efficient decomposition rate and delay the increase of nutrient loading and extend DOC.”

DiWerent stocking densities impact ageing parameters (277/m²) results in increased levels of phosphate (PO4), nitrate (NO3) compared to lower stocking density (157/m²).

Lastly, Liew introduced examples of ponds in two locations in Indonesia. There there was premature ageing in the ponds in Banyuwangi as compared to those in Sumbawa. With poor quality of intake water, premature ageing is inevitable.

Crude protein levels in feed

The phosphate (PO43-) and ammonium (NH4+) levels were also monitored when feeding shrimp with varying % crude

just that the former requires more intensive management health,” said Liew, adding, “Using pond probiotics, the decomposition rate and delay the increase of nutrient

Lastly, Liew introduced examples of ponds in two locations premature ageing in the ponds in Banyuwangi as compared quality of intake water, premature ageing is inevitable.

Figure 1. A graphic on reduction of phosphorus and nitrogen output when feed was supplemented with a combination of phytase and protease. Source: The new way of pond ageing, by Chiow Yen Liew, dsmfirmenich Aquaculture Conference, 2024, Nagoya, Japan, October 15, 2024.

A graphic on reduction of phosphorus and nitrogen output when feed was supplemented with a combination of phytase and protease. Source: The new way of pond ageing, by Chiow Yen Liew, dsm-ﬁrmenich Aquaculture Conference, 2024, Nagoya, Japan, October 15, 2024.

Asian marine shrimp in 2024: Continuous weak prices dampen growth

A

Isnapshot on the situation moving forward

n 2024, marine shrimp producers continued to adapt to the new normal of low prices, face ongoing disease challenges, find ways to be profitable and remain in the industry. In September 2024, three farmers from India, Indonesia and Vietnam described the situation at a panel during the Global Shrimp Forum (GSF 2024, see pages 42-43).

Weak prices

In contrast to 2023, 2024 started with low farmgate prices - size 100/kg vannamei shrimp was USD3.16/kg in January 2024, compared to USD3.70/kg in January 2023. Generally, Vietnam had the highest farmgate prices for sizes 100/kg, 50/kg and 30/kg vannamei shrimp. In Indonesia, JALA reported declines towards the end of the year. Indonesian farmgate prices in December were the lowest in Southeast Asia, at below IDR55,000 (USD3.5) for size 100/kg, as compared to that in Vietnam (USD3.60) and Thailand (USD3.90). Farmgate prices for size 40/ kg were below IDR70,000 (USD4.39), as compared to USD5.6 in Malaysia and India USD4.8.

2024 global production

The Global Seafood Alliance (GSA) and Rabobank global shrimp aquaculture production survey, presented at the October 2024 Responsible Seafood Summit, expected global shrimp to grow by 4.8% in 2024, reaching around 5.88 million tonnes. Kontali at the Shrimp Summit (June

HEALTH IS AT THE HEART OF OUR CONCERNS

2024) estimated 5.7 million tonnes in 2024, and 6.1 million tonnes in 2025.

Lower vannamei shrimp supply

Asia’s contribution to the global vannamei shrimp supply was projected to recover with a 4% growth in 2024 after a slight decline in 2023. India and Vietnam are expected to see production increases, said the GSA/Rabobank team. Estimates in 2024 by several industry sources indicated decreases in production (Table 1).

“In China, the greenhouse model with a stocking density of 150 PL/m2 could contribute 28% to the annual production versus 63% from earthen ponds,” said Luca Micciche’ at GSF 2024 (AAP, 2024). In mid-year, Kontali (AAP, 2024) estimated a slow growth at 2%, bringing volumes of 800,000 tonnes in 2024, compared to a million tonnes produced in 2023.

A slow start was reported in India, as well as lower stocking densities to counter low prices and disease. The 2024 production estimate by industry was 870,000 tonnes of vannamei shrimp while Kontali (AAP, 2024) gave an estimate of one million tonnes. Manoj Sharma of Mayank Aquaculture, Gujarat stated that production data have been based on export figures. When some 150,000 tonnes of vannamei sold in local markets are included, production will reach a million tonnes.

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Sources: India: Industry and Sharma, M, 2024 (pers comm); Vietnam: Industry, McIntosh, R (pers comm), Kontali (2024); Indonesia: Shrimp Club Indonesia; McIntosh, R (pers. comm); Thailand: Department of Fisheries (official data for January to November and an estimate for December); Philippines: PSA & BFAR (actual data for Q1-Q3 & estimate for Q4) * include other species; Malaysia: Industry; Bangladesh: Kabir Chowdhury, Maverick Innovation BD. *may include giant freshwater prawn.

Table 1. Estimates (tonnes) of Asian vannamei and black tiger shrimp production in 2024.

Based on feed sales, the 2024 shrimp production estimate for Vietnam, showed a decline of 8-20%. Average feed conversion ratios (FCRs) were 1.2-1.4. Industry said that from January to March, translucent post larvae disease (TPD) outbreaks reduced fry availability. Production progressed well from April-August but after October, it was down by 50%.

In Indonesia, at JALA’s Shrimp Outlook, CEO Liris Maduningtyas said that the average productivity of shrimp farms was 12 tonnes/ha. The pond carrying capacity of shrimp farms went down, but better productivity was achieved in farms in East Indonesia.

Thailand’s vannamei shrimp production was 255,000 tonnes. The Thai Shrimp Association had estimated a drop in production by 4% year-on-year because of disease outbreaks, falling prices and unstable weather, with the latter affecting quality of post larvae and farming conditions. Falling prices have also prompted some farmers to postpone their new farming cycles.

Eyes on Ecuador

December data have yet to come in, but the forecast for Ecuador is to end 2024 with exports of 1.2 million tonnes or about 0.2% less than 2023 (note that Ecuador publishes export data and not production data). In 2023, industry said that production was 1.45 million tonnes. Despite electricity outages in 2H 2024 due to lack of rain (as most of Ecuador’s electricity is generated by hydroelectric power), the end of year rains have provided relief.

This has allowed stocking densities to increase again to an average of 16 PL/m2. The average yield/cycle was 1.5 tonnes/ha and 5.9 tonnes/ha/year. The low prices have affected the smaller farmers who have been selling off farms to large integrators such as Omarsa, Santa Priscilla and Group Almar. This leads to consolidation, and integrated companies now contribute approximately 50% of shrimp production, up from 40% a year ago. These companies are willing to invest in functional feeds and technification (aeration and sonic feeding).

Black tiger shrimp

In 2024, Robins McIntosh, CP Foods estimated a global production of 460,000 tonnes of black tiger shrimp. In Bangladesh, the shrimp is farmed extensively with low productivity at 300kg/ha. “The good news from Bangladesh is that 50-70% of production is consumed locally,” said Kabir Chowdhury, Maverick Innovation BD. In 2024, black tiger dominated production in Malaysia at 55% since farmers blamed poor survival of vannamei shrimp to poor quality post larvae.

In Gujarat, India, Sharma said that demand was high in October, but concerns were post larvae quality and survival. Stocking will restart in March 2025. He predicted that 90% of production in Gujarat will soon be black tiger shrimp, while only coastal areas in Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal and parts of Tamil Nadu will change to this species. While Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam have domestic markets, India exports almost all the black tiger produced. In 2023, imports in the EU reached 32,000 tonnes as compared to 15,000 tonnes in 2019. A challenge for all producing countries is the small and competitive market.

Demand and markets

At the time of print, all available data was up to November 2024. For China, YTD November, shrimp imports reached 806,500 tonnes. Extrapolated, it should end the year with 874,500 tonnes. This is a decrease of 9%, compared to 2023 imports of 960,000 tonnes. In 2024, imports of 608,000 tonnes came from Ecuador, a 5.7% drop in market share. Shrimp prices have also been dropping, showing poor consumer confidence and deflation in the country. This has also affected the local farm gate prices which at the end of December, dropped to CNY29.5/kg (USD3.8) compared to CNY49/ kg (USD6.7) in January.

For 2025, China State Council has announced an increase in tariffs on South American white shrimp from 2% to 5%. Ecuadorian white shrimp tariffs will double from 2% to 4%. Indian shrimp tariffs will rise modestly from 2% to 2.5% (JCI China).

Europe’s YTD November 2024 shrimp imports reached 443,321 tonnes, 7% ahead Y-0-Y. If December imports equalled that of 2023, then 2024 could end at 475,000 tonnes, a record and beat 2022 shrimp imports. Ecuador remains the top supplier with 164,300 tonnes (+ 5% Y-o-Y) with Vietnam at 45,300 tonnes and India at 42,800 tonnes (Shrimp Insights).

YTD November 2024 for the US showed imports were at 696,154 tonnes, which was 4% behind 2023. If December imports equalled that of 2023, then 2024 could end with 760,000 tonnes which will be 4% behind 2023 figures (Shrimp Insights). The major exporters were India, Ecuador, Indonesia and Vietnam with market shares of 39%, 24%, 17% and 9%, respectively.

The industry believes that inventories in the EU and US have largely been sold, so stocks are back at healthy levels.

References are available on request.

SHRIMP AQUACULTURE:

Precision • Productivity • Profitability

The 14th edition of The Aquaculture Roundtable Series® (TARS) 2025 will be held at the Shangri-la Hotel, Chiang Mai, Thailand on August 20-21, 2025.

TARS 2025 returns to focus on SHRIMP AQUACULTURE and its challenges. It has reached a turning point as current low prices due to oversupply are reducing margins and sending more stakeholders into negative territory. Constant disease outbreaks continue to lower survival rates and productivity, while costs of production are rising. Our Asian model is no longer tenable nor economically sustainable and where investors fear to tread.

TARS 2025 is the platform for industry stakeholders to look at new options, and chart a new path for long-term economic sustainability based on PRECISION farming for higher PRODUCTIVITY, leading to better PROFITABILITY

TARS 2025 will present trends and knowledge exchange through insightful technical and panel sessions in the following areas:

• State of Supply and Demand

• Precision Farming and Gap Analyses

• A New Model and Building Sustainable Asian Shrimp

• Technology and Innovations

• Marketing, Branding and Sustainability

• Future Proofing with the Next Generation

ABOUT TARS

Initiated in 2011, The Aquaculture Roundtable Series® (TARS) is a stakeholder-driven effort to facilitate the sharing and exchange of information and experiences for a common goal, to equip the industry with the next phase of growth.

Registration opens on March 20

Seats limited to 250 participants

Insights on shrimp farming in India, Indonesia and Vietnam

At GSF 2024, three industry leaders shared their perspectives and outlook for 2025

At the Global Shrimp Forum 2024, held on September 3-5 in Utrecht, Netherlands, Sander Visch (now Business and Operations Manager at ASC) moderated a panel on the current situation with shrimp farming in India, Indonesia and Vietnam. The panellists were: Balasubramanian, known as Bala, General Secretary of the Prawn Farmers Federation of India and a seasoned farmer in Tamil Nadu; Dr Loc Tran, scientist, Founder/ Director of ShrimpVet and a new shrimp farming entrepreneur; and Rizky Darmawan, Co-Founder and President of Petambak Muda Indonesia and CEO of Delta Marine Group.

They provided an overview of the challenges, opportunities, and evolving practices within the shrimp industry in their respective countries. Bala and Rizky also introduced the role of their respective associations in shaping the direction of the industry.

India: Intensification is not a priority

Bala began with a brief overview of India’s shrimp farming landscape. With nearly three decades of experience, Bala considers himself a “value player”- his approach to shrimp farming prioritises value over volume. He produces large, high value vannamei shrimp. His average production is around 200 tonnes annually.

Balasubramanian highlighted, “Intensification is not a priority for Indian farmers, as they prefer strategies that enhance efficiency in feed and disease management.”

The Indian shrimp farming model is characterised by low stocking densities, typically around 20-25 PL/m2. This approach minimises disease risks and ensures better returns on investment (ROI), especially in a volatile market with declining prices and increasing disease pressures. Bala highlighted, “Intensification is not a priority for Indian

farmers, as they prefer strategies that enhance efficiency in feed and disease management. Intensification means producing more shrimp volume with limited land and resources.” He advocated consistent production with a much lower variable cost compared with a super intensive system with higher costs.

Despite the very challenging times, Bala added, “Nobody is giving up in India. We are hopeful for a better tomorrow and with better efficiency, we will be ready to catch the tide when it rises.”

A shift towards inland farming and black tiger shrimp

Recently, a significant trend in India is the shift from coastal farming regions, which are witnessing production declines, such as in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. Andhra Pradesh continues to lead production as it benefits from robust drainage systems that help mitigate disease risks. Additionally, farmers unsuccessful with vannamei shrimp farming are transitioning to black tiger shrimp. The pull is new genetics, resilience against local diseases and the ability to grow to larger sizes of 80-100g. Stocking density is less than 10 PL/m2.

Bala explained that the Prawn Farmers Federation of India works closely with the government to advocate for farmer-friendly policies. It had worked on the introduction of the vannamei responsibly and in establishing advanced quarantine facilities. These efforts ensure that Indian shrimp farming maintains its global competitiveness while adhering to sustainability goals.

Indonesia: Promoting efficiency and sustainability

Rizky, founder of Petambak Muda Indonesia or PMI (Indonesian Young Shrimp Farmers Association), joined the family’s farming business in 2014. Delta Marine Group operates three shrimp farms in Sumbawa Island, producing approximately 3,000 tonnes of vannamei shrimp annually. Rizky is looking at expansion in two more sites soon.

At the Global Shrimp Forum 2024, Sander Visch (right) with panel members, from left, Balasubramanian, General Secretary of the Prawn Farmers Federation of India; Rizky Darmawan, Co-Founder and President of Petambak Muda Indonesia and Loc Tran, Founder/ Director of ShrimpVet, Vietnam.

“By promoting efficiency and sustainability, we aim to revitalise the industry and attract new talent.”- Rizky Darmawan

On the dynamics of shrimp farming in his country, Rizky acknowledged the significant challenges facing Indonesian farmers, including disease outbreaks and declining shrimp prices. “Intensified by poor farming practices, many older generation farmers struggle to sustain operations and are looking to exit their ventures. Today with low prices, there is less room for errors. Shrimp farming is a capital-intensive industry, and unfortunately in Indonesia, we also lack access to financing as banks in Indonesia are not supportive of the aquaculture sector. This has led to a slow pace of expansion, with most new developments relying on personal funding.”

Next generation of farmers

PMI focuses on educating new and second-generation farmers on modern shrimp farming practices. For a sustainable business, Rizky said, “It is not to repeat mistakes made by the previous generations. By promoting efficiency and sustainability, we aim to revitalise the industry and attract new talent.” Rizky added that generally, in intensive systems with smaller ponds, clean pond bottoms, and optimised feeding strategies, farms achieve yields of up to 30 tonnes/ha.

Despite the challenges, Rizky expressed cautious optimism, highlighting the resilience of farmers who adopt good practices. He also pointed out that industry consolidation is inevitable, with successful farmers acquiring failed operations and driving the sector forward.

Vietnam: Setting a new intensive model

Loc shared his vision for transforming Vietnam’s fragmented shrimp farming industry. Dominated by smallscale farmers, cost of production is high, and farming is not competitive. “Ten years ago, with a passion to modernise shrimp farming, I started a research service, followed with a commercial hatchery producing post larvae from nonablated broodstock and a research farm. The aim is to raise shrimp farming standards, but we needed a scalable and efficient farming model.”

“The trend in Vietnam is moving away from superintensive systems; more intensification means higher production costs and is less sustainable,” said Loc. The

change is towards a more appropriate intensification. His modern shrimp farming modules integrate water and waste treatment systems alongside mangrove areas. With a potential production capacity of 2,000 tonnes annually, it demonstrates how intensive systems can be adapted to balance productivity and sustainability. His goal is to establish 50 such modules across Vietnam by 2030. He has built two farms in 2024 and will build two more in 2025.

“This approach focuses on optimising the entire farming ecosystem rather than merely increasing stocking densities.”- Loc Tran

Encourage adoption of best practices

“This approach focuses on optimising the entire farming ecosystem rather than merely increasing stocking densities,” said Loc and highlighted the need for initial investments and the importance of open-source knowledge sharing to encourage broader adoption of sustainable practices.

While Vietnam’s production levels may not see immediate growth, Loc is optimistic on the long-term potential. He believes the second-generation of farmers are better equipped to treat shrimp farming as a serious business, leveraging Vietnam’s strong infrastructure, mature supply chain, and abundant natural resources.

Common

themes

and the path ahead

The panel discussion revealed several common themes across the three countries:

• Resilience: Despite low shrimp prices and disease pressures, farmers in India, Indonesia and Vietnam are finding ways to adapt. Notwithstanding the intensification level, the focus is on efficiency and sustainability.

• Education and generational transition: All three panellists highlighted the importance of educating younger farmers and encouraging them to view shrimp farming as a viable career. This generational shift is essential for the industry’s long-term sustainability.

• Innovation and sustainability: From adopting antibiotic-free practices to integrating mangroves and waste treatment into farming systems, innovation is at the heart of the industry’s evolution. These practices not only improve production efficiency but also enhance environmental sustainability.

• Policy and infrastructure support: The role of government policies and infrastructure development cannot be overstated. India’s quarantine facilities and Vietnam’s robust supply chain are examples of support to boost the industry.

• Industry consolidation: Both Indonesia and Vietnam are witnessing a trend toward consolidation, with successful farmers acquiring smaller or struggling operations. This shift is expected to improve overall efficiency and competitiveness.

Outlook for 2025 and beyond

Loc is uncertain whether Vietnam can increase production in 2025. However, it may be possible in 2-3 years if the industry adapts to the new normal in global shrimp prices, produces consistently high-quality shrimp at lower production costs, and is profitable. Rizky predicted production volumes in Indonesia to decline and then stabilise. With efficiency, those profitable at the current price point will thrive. Bala said that India is resilient, and production will not go down.

Rizky Darmawan and Loc Tran (middle) with Andrew Campbell, CEO AQ1 (left) at GSF 2024.

India’s farmed shrimp industry today

Fluctuating shrimp prices hinder market growth and create financial uncertainty for producers

By Laxmappa Boini, Ravinder Rao Bakshi and M. Gunakar

Shrimp culture ponds in Andhra Pradesh.

India is currently the second-largest producer of farmed shrimp after Ecuador. Its farmed shrimp sector is one of the main pillars of India’s seafood industry, providing direct and indirect livelihood to hundreds of thousands of local communities as well as considerable economic contribution to the country. The rising global demand for healthy seafood is encouraging Indian shrimp farmers to benefit from demand in leading markets in the US and European Union (EU).

Registered post larvae production units

The Coastal Aquaculture Authority (CAA) approves shrimp post larvae production facilities such as hatcheries and nauplii rearing hatcheries (NRHs). These total up to 525 for Litopenaeus vannamei and Penaeus

monodon . Currently, the production capacity is 98.39 billion post larvae/year. These units are in seven coastal states, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, and West Bengal.

However, 76.7% of the total post larvae production comes from Andhra Pradesh, followed by Tamil Nadu (18.9%), Odisha (3.7%), and Gujarat (0.6%). There are 32 production units involved in the production of P. monodon post larvae, consisting of 20 hatcheries and 12 NRHs. The annual production capacity is 8.76 billion post larvae. Out of the above 32 units, 18 are in Andhra Pradesh, 9 in Tamil Nadu, 3 in Gujarat, and one each in Odisha and Karnataka (Table 1).

Post larvae

Since farmers get better yields only with healthy and high-performing post larvae, CAA registers and regulates government and private hatcheries according to its guidelines. Its expert committee recommends a list of foreign suppliers of shrimp broodstock. All imported broodstock must undergo quarantine by the Karaimedu, Tamil Nadu-based Aquatic Quarantine Facility (AQF) which is part of the Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Aquaculture (RGCA), the R&D arm of the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA).

Culture and production trends

The entry of the specific pathogen-free (SPF) vannamei shrimp since 2008 has led to a steady increase in India’s farmed shrimp production. Market acceptance in local and global markets has attracted entrepreneurs. Since its introduction, the shrimp has been the farmer’s choice due to genetic selection, such as for better adaptability to local conditions, disease resistance, and faster growth rate leading to better productivity.

Successful shrimp farming in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, and West Bengal gave India the status of a leading shrimp exporter to the EU and the Middle East. The Union government’s initiative, the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for the food processing sector, including value-added shrimp, has further stimulated shrimp exports.

Harvesting vannamei shrimp in Telangana State.

Key shrimp producers and market trends

In terms of production in 2023, Andhra Pradesh led with approximately 80%, followed by West Bengal (6%), Gujarat (5%), Odisha (4%), Tamil Nadu (4%) and other states (1%). Andhra Pradesh and Odisha led the vannamei shrimp production with a volume of about 912,000 tonnes and 46,000 tonnes, respectively. Inland vannamei shrimp farming is also becoming popular in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, and Rajasthan.

Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal lead in terms of shrimp culture area, accounting for around 78% of the total area. The Sundarbans in West Bengal and Kutch in Gujarat are crucial production areas. Situated along the Bay of Bengal, West Bengal benefits from abundant access to brackish water. Gujarat’s coastal physical features and good infrastructure are favourable for shrimp farming, aided by enterprising government initiatives and an export-oriented approach.

Vannamei shrimp makes up 95% of India’s shrimp production. Currently, the percentage of black tiger shrimp is also increasing. Despite differing estimates, most of the production is exported, playing a crucial role in generating foreign exchange earnings.

At present, there are about 100,000 shrimp farms in India and many of them are operating less than two ha of land area. The average stocking density is 20-40 post larvae (PL)/m2 Shrimp production increased from 270,000 tonnes in 2012-2013 to 1,184,000 tonnes in 2022-2023 (Figure 1). Indian farmers prefer to stock 200,000 to 30,000PL/ha in simple and unlined earthen ponds The average yield of vannamei shrimp in India is around 7.5 tonnes/ha/year in 2024

At present, there are about 100,000 shrimp farms in India and many of them are operating less than two ha of land area. The average stocking density is 20-40 post larvae (PL)/m2. Shrimp production increased from 270,000 tonnes in 2012-2013 to 1,184,000 tonnes in 2022-2023 (Figure 1). Indian farmers prefer to stock 200,000 to 300,000PL/ha in simple and unlined earthen ponds. The average yield of vannamei shrimp in India is around 7.5 tonnes/ha/year in 2024.

Production in tonnes

Figure 1. Shrimp production trends in India from 2013-2014 to 2022-2023. (Note: In India, the government’s financial year runs from 1 April to 31 March the following year.)

Vannamei shrimp lead in exports

It is worth noting that the growth of frozen shrimp exports highlights India’s ability in the international seafood arena. This success also occurred because of the rising consumer demand for fresh seafood and enhancements in supply chain logistics, allowing for faster and more efficient delivery of shrimp to both domestic and global markets.

India is the second-largest exporter of shrimp in Asia with 697,141 tonnes valued at USD5.2 billion in 2023. This includes 82.5%, valued at USD4.3 billion of frozen shrimp. Processed shrimp comprised 9.1% of export value at USD476.8 million. This growing business encouraged many medium-to-large players to set up shrimp processing plants, feed mills, secondary businesses, and cold storage chains. The latest government data indicated that India has 621 processing units with a capacity of 36,572 tonnes/day. Many of these are EU-approved.

Figure 1. Shrimp production trends in India from 2013-2014 to 2022-2023. (Note: In India, the government's financial year runs from 1 April to 31 March the following year.)

Use of antibiotic-free aquaculture inputs

CAA has guidelines for the Certificate of Compliance for Aquaculture Inputs for practices in coastal aquaculture activities. This is to ensure that farmers and other stakeholders antibiotic-free inputs, such as feed additives, disinfectants, drugs, etc , at all levels of shrimp production

Key shrimp producers and market trends

CAA has guidelines for the Certificate of Compliance for Aquaculture Inputs for best management practices in coastal aquaculture activities. This is to ensure that farmers and other stakeholders use antibiotic-free inputs, such as feed additives, disinfectants, drugs, etc., at all levels of shrimp production.

In terms of production in 2023, Andhra Pradesh led with approximately 80%, followed by (6%), Gujarat (5%), Odisha (4%), Tamil Nadu (4%) and other states (1%). Andhra Pradesh and Odisha led the vannamei shrimp production with a volume of about 912,000 tonnes and 46,000 tonnes, respectively. Inland vannamei shrimp farming is also becoming popular in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, and Rajasthan.

Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal led in terms of shrimp culture area, accounting for around 78% of the total area. The Sundarbans in West Bengal and Kutch in Gujarat are crucial production areas. Situated

A vannamei shrimp harvest.

Stagnation with price fluctuations

However, India’s shrimp production has stagnated due to lower farmgate prices arising from a global oversupply, poor market demand and competition since mid-2023. These affect investments in shrimp farming infrastructure and limit the sector’s expansion. Recent data on farmgate prices in Andhra Pradesh explains the situation. Size 30-40/kg shrimp has a significant market share (Table 2).

Shrimp count/kg Farmgate prices in IND (USD)/kg

30 470 (USD5.56)

40 405 (USD4.79)

50 365 (USD4.32)

60 335 (USD3.96)

70 315 (USD3.72)

80 285 (USD3.37)

90 270 (USD3.19)

100 260 (USD3.07)

Table 2. Shrimp farmgate prices in Andhra Pradesh in November 2024.

Technological advancements

The Indian shrimp market has been thriving due to advances in farming technologies, breeding, disease management, water quality control, biosecurity measurements and feed formulations. These innovations have improved productivity and yield, making Indian shrimp quite competitive in the global market. The industry is also focusing on environmentally friendly practices to promote sustainable farming and meet consumer demands for environmentally conscious products.

The Indian government is enhancing the aquaculture sector through incentive programs, subsidies, and technological support. Enhancing production efficiency and ensuring sustainable development in the industry are the goals of these initiatives, which include farm registration with CAA.

Meanwhile, the shrimp industry faces many challenges such as fluctuating international prices, tariff, and nontariff protection measures by major export markets such as the US, increasing competition, and geographical

concentration. Despite the significant potential for expansion, the global economy must absorb more production while equitably benefiting all components of the value chain. The industry supports the livelihoods of many people and will work together with domestic and overseas stakeholders to overcome essential challenges.

Low and fluctuating shrimp prices create financial uncertainty for producers and limiting investment in shrimp farming infrastructure. Geopolitical tensions can disrupt export routes and increase trade barriers, leading to fluctuating demand, stricter import regulations, and higher transportation costs. These challenges hinder market growth and create instability for shrimp producers in India.

References

Annual Report 2023-24; Coastal Aquaculture Authority, Government of India Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Department of Fisheries. https://caa.gov.in https://mpeda.gov.in https://www.blueweaveconsulting.com/report/india-shrimpmarket

https://www.imarcgroup.com/indian-shrimp-market https://www.intrafish.com/shrimp/guest-commentaryindias-shrimp-industry-and-the-challengesahead/2-1-1640705 https://www.shrimpinsights.com/blog/shrimp-trade-dataupdate-may-2024

Dr Laxmappa Boini is Assistant Director of Fisheries, Department of Fisheries, Wanaparthy, Telangana, India. Email:laxmappaboini@gmail.com

Dr Ravinder Rao Bakshi is Assistant Professor, Department of Zoology, MVS Govt. Arts & Science College (A), Mahbubnagar, Telangana, India.

M. Gunakar is Assistant Professor, Department of Zoology, Govt. Degree College, Malkajgiri, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.

Healthy and large vannamei shrimp.

Packing shrimp for transport.

An eye in the sky for aquaculture insights

Suyash Singh explains how GalaxEye Blue transforms aquaculture interventions

How can aerospace engineers contribute to aquaculture? “We can contribute a lot if you have satellite-powered eyes scanning every acre”, said Suyash Singh , Co-founder and CEO of GalaxEye Space. The company leverages satellite imaging and artificial intelligence (AI) to monitor aquaculture ponds, offering actionable insights to optimise farm operations and boost profitability.

“We monitor shrimp ponds globally and provide stakeholders with critical insights by building satellites and analysing the data,” Suyash explained at the sidelines of the Global Shrimp Forum 2024 (GSF) in Utrecht, Netherlands.

Suyash, an aerospace engineer with a master’s degree from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, began building a satellite for imaging purposes in 2022. “We realised the technology could be applied worldwide, and aquaculture emerged as one of the key industries where this innovation could make a real impact.”

Proof of concept and funding success

In 2021, Suyash Singh co-founded GalaxEye Space with Denil Chawda, Kishan Thakkar, Pranit Mehta, and Rakshit Bhatt in Bangalore, India. The startup quickly gained traction and secured significant funding to fuel its ambitions.

View of shrimp farms in Andhra Pradesh, India. Copyright@GalaxEye Blue.

GalaxEye was founded in 2021 by a team of five students and alumni from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras. Cofounders Suyash Singh, CEO, and Pranit Mehta, Vice President of Business Development, were present at the Global Shrimp Forum 2024. Their product, GalaxEye Blue, is a one-stop solution for aquaculture insights.

GalaxEye is now working on the world’s first multisensor imaging satellite for Earth observation called the Drishti Mission , set for launch in 2025. “We aim to deliver all-weather, intuitive data across any global area of interest,” Suyash explained.

“Building satellites isn’t cheap. We’re a deep-tech company, so we sought venture capital early on. Our small experiments at the institute served as proof of concept before approaching investors.”

In 2021, this deep-tech startup raised an undisclosed amount in pre-seed funding. In December 2022, there was USD3.5 million in seed funding. In 2024, a Series A funding from Mela Ventures, Speciale Invest, Mouttech Growth Fund and Infosys brought in a combined USD10 million, spread over 4 months.

Closing the gap in aquaculture technology

Early on, Suyash and his team identified a critical gap: while some companies focused on satellite construction and others on data analytics, no one connected both seamlessly. “This gap limited the large-scale adoption of satellite imagery in aquaculture.”

By speaking directly to agriculture and aquaculture industry leaders, policymakers, and farmers, GalaxEye discovered unmet needs. “We realised we could solve these issues more accurately and efficiently with our technology.”

Why digitise a fragmented industry?

Some might question the use of advanced technology in a fragmented industry dominated by small-scale players, but Suyash is clear: “The goal is to bring digitisation to any industry. We’re not limiting ourselves

to aquaculture—we’re also exploring agriculture. Our approach is industry-agnostic.”

Tailored solutions for multiple stakeholders

The first step was to develop the innovation, and next, to approach industry leaders on application. Suyash said, “We spoke to the industry at large, including policymakers and field officials. We also contacted industry, those who are into marketing and exports, feed milling and aquafarming. The approach involves building solutions for specific stakeholders, including feed millers, exporters, and farmers. The same satellite data must be transformed into tailored insights for different users.”

GalaxEye’s technology is gradually scaling up, with customers already on board. “It’s been a challenging but fascinating journey,” Suyash reflected.

Challenges and lessons learnt

In terms of challenges, Suyash said that this industry is different from others and looking for something to plug and play.

Building trust in an industry unfamiliar with advanced satellite technology required persistence. “Initially, the reception was muted,” Suyash admitted. “But over time, customers began to appreciate our solutions and recognised us as problem-solvers.”

“We’re essentially offering a macro-level farm intelligence tool.” -Suyash Singh

GalaxEye Blue has mapped 300,000 ponds all over India, validating data on the ground. It provides actionable insights on pond health, profitability, and supply forecasting. Photo copyright@ GalaxEye Blue

The

technology behind GalaxEye Blue

GalaxEye Blue combines synthetic aperture radar (SAR) with multispectral imaging to capture a wide range of electromagnetic data. This enables precise, real-time monitoring of water quality parameters such as pH, salinity, and ammonia. “This is remote sensing a particular field through a non-contact mechanism. It tracks the entire time series of the pond when stocked and harvested, which are the days of culture.

“The technology tracks pond conditions over time, correlating data to disease outbreaks, water quality issues, and harvest schedules,” Suyash explained. “We’re essentially offering a macro-level farm intelligence tool.”

Monetisation strategy

GalaxEye operates on a subscription model. Current subscribers include feed producers, buyers and exporters. “We’re continuously enhancing our technology with features like traceability, health monitoring, and supplydemand projections,” Suyash noted.

Addressing concerns over potential intrusion of privacy, he said, “We’re like a Google Maps for aquaculture—custombuilt to meet the industry’s needs.”

Supporting sustainable aquaculture

GalaxEye’s technology also supports environmental monitoring. For example, Willem van der Pijl, Shrimp Insights partnered with GalaxEye to monitor mangrove coverage in Andhra Pradesh, disproving claims of shrimp farming-related destruction. Historical data from NASA satellites and GalaxEye’s current imaging provided an 18year comparison. See article in issue July/August 2024 p56. http://bit.ly/4ghzPjc

The future of GalaxEye

Looking ahead, GalaxEye aims to become the go-to geospatial solution for aquaculture. “In five years, we envision a full-stack platform available as a mobile app, web tool, and reporting dashboard—a one-stop shop for aquaculture intelligence,” Suyash concluded.

Suyash said that GalaxEye Blue is the world’s most aquaculture in general. It has already mapped 300,000 on the ground. Data is gathered every three to five Pradesh, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Uttar

Shrimp x Tech: Making shrimp supply predictable

At the Global Shrimp Forum 2024 (GSF), Esther Luiten (ASC) and Anton Immink (Think Aqua) led a session on shrimp supply predictability. Three innovative pitches were presented:

• Suyash Singh, GalaxEye Blue: Highlighted the power of SAR and multispectral imaging for unbiased, data-driven aquaculture insights.

• Suzan Shahrestani, Minnowtech: Focused on precise shrimp biomass measurement.

• Kjetil Angell Kjerstad, Kontali: Discussed data models and infrastructure for shrimp supply forecasting.

The industry is undoubtedly moving towards data driven decision-making with GalaxEye Blue’s key features. GalaxEye has a combination of sensors that sweeps through a larger part of the electromagnetic spectrum to provide more information. Satellite imagery brings unbiased, uncomplicated and transparent sources from a macro level monitoring from space. It unleashes data, particularly from the electromagnetic spectrum.

Suyash said that GalaxEye Blue is the world’s most advanced geospatial AI software for aquaculture in general. It has already mapped 300,000 ponds all over India, validating data on the ground. Data is gathered every three to five days and more regularly in Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh.

GalaxEye Blue’s technology is poised to transform aquaculture with advanced geospatial AI and realtime data solutions.

GalaxEye Blue’s technology is poised to transform and real-time data solutions. At GSF.

At GSF. Suyash Singh says, “The data reveals which ponds are active at a state, district and village level. It all starts with pond health monitoring, gross profit margin (GPM) strategy, supply forecasting, historic analysis and real time monitoring.”

reveals which ponds are active at a state, district and health monitoring, gross profit margin (GPM) strategy, and real time monitoring.”

A forum in Singapore to uplift and transform the local aquaculture sector

The AquaPolis Initiative, a collaborative research program, was formalised in November 2023 to enhance the aquaculture sector. Partners are agencies such as Singapore Food Agency (SFA), National University of Singapore (NUS), Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory (TLL), and several industry partners. The idea is to work with industry, to identify critical pain points and develop solutions. The initiative is part of Singapore’s broader goal to produce 30% of its nutritional needs locally by 2030.

In October 2024, the group organised the AquaTropics Forum 2024 on “How Science meets Industry”. Damian Chan, SFA CEO noted that seafood is vital for Singapore’s food security. An active local aquaculture sector can mitigate the impact of overseas supply disruptions. “There is a strong commitment to uplift and transform the local aquaculture sector. Under the Singapore Food Story (SFS), R&D programme, over SGD60 million has been allocated to aquaculture research innovation to drive change in crucial areas.”

AquaTIC

Key to this initiative is the AquaPolis Aquaculture Technologies Industry Consortium (AquaTIC). Dr Mark Richards, AquaPolis Programme Director, NUS, said, “Collectively, these aim to drive three outcomes: reduce farm production costs, enhance the value of local produce and strengthen the resilience and sustainability of the local aquaculture industry.” It engages industry stakeholders and helps to bridge knowledge and technology gaps.

Aquaculture value chain analysis

Ronnie Tan, Aquaculture Consultant, US Grains Council, Malaysia, provided a detailed analysis of the aquaculture segments in the value chain; genetics, hatchery-cumnursery, grow-out, feed, disease mitigation, post-harvest and processing as well as distribution, marketing and branding. For each segment, he covered investment levels, constraints, infrastructure needs, technology enablers, risk vs margin, and cycle times in farming the Asian seabass Lates calcarifer.

“The first segment is genetics, which requires medium level investments, perseverance and a long-term commitment. For the seabass, we would want high-performing individuals through family and genomic selection”.

In contrast, the hatchery-cum-nursery segment requires low investment, but success requires matching demand vs supply. Aside from high investments in infrastructure and the long grow-out cycle of seabass (18-24 months for 2kg fish), risks are very high, particularly with no insurance. Margins depend on survival rates, where 50% survival can be the breakeven point. Ronnie added that to succeed, it needs disease mitigation, automation and insurance. In the latter, the prerequisite is predictability assisted by AI.

In his analysis of the feed segment, Ronnie noted it as a volume investment, but with high opex. The feed business is competitive with many players. A constraint is

no control over commodity prices. “However, we need to consider food replacement and expensive early-stage feeds. Investment is at medium level with high margins. The technology enabler here is microencapsulation. The average price of an early-stage feed is about USD20/kg. Therefore, margins are high.”

Disease mitigation has a medium investment cost, but a downside is the extremely small market. “There are so many species with specific diseases. With this kind of permutation, each market is very small. The technology enabler is the autogenous vaccines. The Holy Grail of disease mitigation is combining vaccination and functional feeds with genetics.”

Quo Vadis (Where next) for Singapore

Matching Singapore’s strengths, which include capital resources, world-class infrastructure, scientific knowledge, and regional logistics, Ronnie said, “Where next for Singapore? Using Michael Porter’s five forces model, I have assigned rankings for the competitive advantage for aquaculture in Singapore (Figure 1).”

Figure 1. Michael Porter’s five forces model on matching Singapore’s strengths with segments in the Asian seabass aquaculture value chain. Source: Aquaculture Value Chain Analysis and Singapore’s strength, AquaTropics Forum, NUS, October 3, Singapore.

“Singapore should focus on developing the seabass by enhancing support industries like genetics, hatchery & nursery, early-stage feed, and disease mitigation. Publicprivate partnerships and venture capital investment are crucial for innovation. Emphasising branding and sustainability will help differentiate Singapore’s aquaculture products globally. Establishing an international resource centre will leverage Singapore’s strengths in infrastructure, scientific knowledge, and logistics,” Ronnie reiterated.

The message is to be the best global industrial partner in the integrated seabass ecosystem, similar to how Taiwan has become a leader in the semiconductor manufacturing sector. Then build up generic market awareness and promote differentiation via the Singapore quality. “Everyone would trust Singapore because of the rules and regulations in place. The narrative is around marketing, branding and sustainability.”

R&D collaborations

In his presentation, Chan shared several examples of R&D in genetics, nutrition and health, demonstrating the participation of academia, public institutions and producers. Its second phase, SFS 2.0, emphasises on addressing food security challenges, including sustainability and circularity for Singapore’s climate change commitments and enhancing food safety.

Epitope-based vaccine against SDDV

Scale drop disease virus (SDDV) causes severe damage to cage farms in Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia with mortality rates of around 70% in both young and adult fish. In fact, SDDV forced the Barramundi Group to stop farming seabass in Singapore’s southern waters. A*STAR and UVAXX have developed an epitope-based vaccine against this virus with an efficacy rate of 75% in the seabass.

Dr Ken Loh, Senior Scientist at A*STAR explained that the approach was to target specific antigens in SDDV and develop a novel synthetic immuno-specific vaccine. A protein-based vaccine is more effective, easier to produce, can be integrated into routine operations at hatcheries and administered to juvenile fish before they are transferred to cages. Therefore, the approach is more preventive than reactive.

SCP

from wastewater side streams

Two groups are developing single-cell proteins (SCP) from waste-water side streams. The Nanyang Technological University (NTU), in collaboration with TLL and NUS, has a sustainable bio-platform for high-quality microbial protein production using a beverage waste stream. NTU’s Dr Lim Zhuan Khai described how the efficacy of this SCP in seabass feeds was compared to a commercial SCP. Some findings showed that dry matter and protein digestibility were comparable to the best SCP in the market.

The Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering (SCELSE) collaborated with TLL, Aquaculture Innovation Centre (AIC), A*STAR, NUS and SFA on SCP production from food processing wastewaters (FPWW). Dr Ezequiel Santillan, SCELSE described the findings of trials to replace fishmeal with this SCP in diets for juvenile Asian seabass and Penaeus vannamei shrimp. This work showed that 50% fishmeal replacement with this SCP did not decrease growth and feed conversion ratio (FCR). Progressive growth and feed intake decreased with increasing SCP inclusion. The life cycle assessment (LCA) showed a lower environmental impact of SCP production compared to soybean meal and lower cost of feeds. This is a perfect fit for the transition to a circular bioeconomy.

Rapid metagenomics analysis

At the Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART), Dr James Strutt discussed a novel approach using rapid nanopore sequencing, cloudbased monitoring and analysis. The partner is Singapore Aquaculture Technologies (SAT) which farms Asian seabass in a closed containment system. Through an optimised rapid sequencing protocol, the team conducted on-site monitoring of the microbiome of tank water to detect changes linked to infection events, farming practices and water quality. This shows the potential of rapid sequencing technologies in enhancing aquaculture management and sustainability.

Genetic resources for snapper and marine tilapia

Dr Shubha Vij, Republic Polytechnic presented some results from the three-year R&D with James Cook University (JCU), SAT and Blue Ocean Harvest on the red snapper Lutjanus malabaricus. This was to identify the species genome and population genetics as well as profiling key aquaculture traits. Working with Century Aquaculture, she reported on work on the genetics of marine tilapia through DNA barcoding.

Vibrios in aquaculture

AR Biotech has a Rapid Testing (VRT) Kit using PCR to provide the much-needed accuracy for a dedicated vibrio strain with DNA accuracy. This VRT Kit is comparatively cheaper than the PCR tests available in the market, at SGD13-15/test and SGD1,000-1,350 for the hardware. James Yip, General Manager compared the advantages of this innovation against agar plate count (TCBS), PCR in a laboratory and biochemical identification. He said the test and results would be produced on-site within an hour. The system requires pre-enrichment, and the limit of detection is 102-103 CFU/mL after enrichment.

Farming models

New to aquaculture, the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) focuses on engineering aspects. Associate Professor Soh Chew Beng said that plankton blooms, such as in 2018, are hazardous in open cage systems. With industry partners FinFisher Pte Ltd and BioGill Asia Pte Ltd, the team has developed a closed containment model. Key features include the novel use of biological technology and monitoring systems to enhance high-density fish production and output for better survival rate and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of milkfish fry.

Aqualita EcoTechnology’s Goh Chin Heng’s answer to farming in urban Singapore with cost and space constraints is “Our Fish Storey”. This is a patented modular recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) with shipping containers and tanks which are stackable, movable and scalable, to create a small farm with different species in the same premise. The range is 12 to 113 tonnes. The second-generation model, ACRAS is bringing together seven 20HCs (20ft high cube containers) to operate as a complete farming system. “We have among the lowest capex per annual production compared to other RAS,” said Goh.

Currently at Blue Aqua International, it is super intensive indoor farming of three species of shrimp and in 2025, farming the trout. Dr Farshad Shishehchian, CEO & Founder, described developing the ideal RAS farming conditions, such as adapting the design to maintain temperatures, degassing, etc. On the selection of the trout, Farshad said, “This is high biomass in a small footprint endeavour. We chose a species where its farming, feed and genetic technology have been well established.”

Post R&D funding

In 2023, there were USD2.2 billion in aquaculture deals, of which USD808 million were venture deals and a large by corporations, said Benedict Tan, Programme Director, Hatch. He continued to discuss the 5Cs in the investment landscape, capital, culture, community, corporations and commercialisation.

“To translate R&D into industry applications, private capital is required. On the funding climate, the majority of deals in 2023 are in seed and Series A stages. Situations such as the heightened US Federal Reserve interest rates in recent years affect venture capital (VC) funding. In aquaculture, most VCs are investing in the supply chain sector.”

“Entrepreneurs are key drivers to commercialise IP. If this sits in a university, it is not going to drive value for the industry,” said Benedict and reiterated that culture is important. Next is the community. “Entrepreneurs need an ecosystem to support their development and growth. An ecosystem of stakeholders encourages the exchange of ideas and supports these entrepreneurs.” Briefly, Benedict discussed case studies from Hatch Blue’s portfolio and examples of strong CEOs.

Benedict brought in a sixth C – a cluster. “In the past, it used to be the academia, government and industry. Today, we need entrepreneurs and capital. Private markets can really drive a lot of innovation. The cluster’s leadership is important to create a common vision.”

Seeking directions to grow together

In the panel, Dr Rui Alexandre Goncalves, Deputy Director, Aquaculture Department, Urban Food Solutions Division, SFA, led speakers and industry leaders, Dr Michael Voigtmann CTO and COO, Singapore Aquaculture Technologies and Professor Matthew Tan, Chair for Sustainable Development in Agriculture and Fishery sectors, APEC PPFS.

Focus on Singapore enterprises

Rui asked, “Which segment should ‘technology-drivenbut-space-limited’ Singapore focus on as a business?” Ronnie suggested that within the feed segment, there are a few global players in early-stage feed production. Production requires cold microencapsulation and the target market should be global. If the focus is along the entire value chain, then focus resources on one species to develop economies of scale.

Marketing local SCP

Alternative feed ingredients are making waves but there are marketing, pricing and positioning challenges. Ronnie said, “With the current high fishmeal prices, there is plenty of space for novel feed ingredients. Additionally, shrimp feed production has increased fivefold since 2000, creating a high demand for feed ingredients. However, new producers need to look at scalability and price. Feed millers demand at least 10,000 tonnes annual availability and in least cost formulation programs, a highcost ingredient will be thrown out.” He added that scalability requires funding. For example, Calysta has a joint venture with Adisseo to build a 20,000-tonne plant in China, targeting the Chinese market.

IP versus patents

Benedict responded “At Hatch, we have changed our strategy. Since 2024, every company in our accelerator programs will have an IP strategy produced for them, which includes a freedom-to-operate analysis. We cocreate this strategy with them based on our experience in the industry. Patents have very high lifetime costs. Typically, we recommend a blend of trade secrets and patents.”

Panellists at the Q&A session. From left, Ronnie Tan, US Grains Council, Malaysia; Farshad Shishehchian, Blue Aqua International Singapore and Benedict Tan, Hatch,Singapore.

From second right, Erwin Suwendi, Head of Nutrition and Feed Technology, Aquaculture Division; Muhammad Faudi; Hendri Inarto, Nutritional Research & Technical at PT Suri Tani PemukaJapfa Group, Indonesia and Supatra Tanchatchawan, Innovation - Business Development & Strategy, Japfa Group, Singapore (right).

The team from INVE Aquaculture, from right, Dr Young Chul Kim, R&D Trial Manager (MAC) and Singapore and Benjamin Yeo, Area Manager Southeast Asia, Far East Asia & Oceania, with Hui Ching Seow Assistant Director, MAC (second left) and Jose A Domingos, Associate Professor, James Cook University, Singapore.

Moderator, Rui Alexandre Goncalves, SFA (right) with panellists, Michael Voigtmann, Singapore Aquaculture Technologies (middle) and Professor Matthew Tan Chair, APEC PPFS.

Building up CEOs

There was active sharing of ideas on what makes a good CEO for startups. A general sentiment within Singapore is that scientists should not be the CEO. However, Benedict believes with the right training and incentives, that these scientists can be developed and built up. As a founderCEO, Farshad shared that building up to CEO status requires hands-on experience. “The shrimp industry combines art and science and requires extensive involvement to be successful.”

Technology adoption by farmers

Among the audience were 18 farmers, 81 academics and 21 solution providers. Rui directed the conversation to the role of science versus art in farming. Both Michael and Matthew gave their views on changes in the industry. “We are moving towards a new environment where farming tools are changing with AI, visual analytics, microbiome monitoring and multi-factor analysis. Once we get more science-driven and data-driven, more people will come into farming,” said Michael while Matthew’s message to solution providers was, “Since the cost of production is key, to help farmers, they need to understand the industry value chain and look at the incremental cost of technology adoption.”

Predictability

Insurance providers require that farms have a better handle on production predictability. In Europe, insurance in the

salmon business is universal. How can the industry in Asia build up predictability and gain the confidence of insurers? The panel discussed how production targets are affected by feed and chronic disease pressure. Benedict noted that a pre-condition to predictability is to determine real-time biomass.

Feeds and functional additives

Both Michael and Farshad commented on the challenges in getting the best-performing feed for their farms. Functional additives in feeds provide an option for disease mitigation. Ronnie noted that in the salmon industry, 60% of feeds are functional, mainly to overcome stressful conditions. Ecuador’s shrimp industry uses more functional feeds compared to Asia. Some 60% of all the shrimp produced in Ecuador come from integrated and large companies, willing to spend money on functional feeds. In contrast, Asia’s shrimp industry is more fragmented and small farmers do not want to spend money on functional feeds.

Brand building

For Michael, brand building is crucial and cannot be underestimated. This is part of the value chain. Feeds have a role in brand building. “If we do not spend on branding, we are just generic and replaceable. Because of the large cost, perhaps 25% of the product value, farmers do not take branding seriously.”

March/April 2025

Issue focus: Health and Disease Management Industry Review: Marine Fish Feed & Production Technology: Fish Meal/Fish Oil/ Industrialisation

Deadlines:Articles/Adverts – February 10

May/June 2025

Issue focus: Sustainable & Responsible Aquaculture Industry Review: Aquafeed Production Feed & Production Technology: Sustainable Ingredients/ Hatchery Technology

Deadlines: Articles/Adverts – March 20

Email: zuridah@aquaasiapac.com/enquiries@aquaasiapac.com

Benedict Tan, Hatch, Singapore (centre) with the team from Singapore Food Agency, Hoon Tong Ngin, Senior Director (right) and Jiang Junhui, Director, Aquaculture Department.

Dr Shubha Vij, Conexus Senior Manager, Sustainable Aquatech Centre and Grace Loo, Senior Lecturer, School of Applied Science, Republic Polytechnic (right) with Allen Wu, Vice President – Aquaculture, Aboitiz Foods, Singapore.

Mexican shrimp industry meet

CONACUA is the leading aquaculture conference and trade show in Mexico. It is co-organised by Conafab (translated as the National Council of Manufacturers of Balanced Animal Feed and Animal Nutrition, A.C.) based in Mexico City together with the aquaculture association in Ahome of Sinaloa, Acuacultores de Ahome A.C. whose mission is to promote the sustainable development of shrimp farming.

The event in its 9th year, was held on November 27-28 in Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico. It brought together national and regional shrimp aquaculture stakeholders. It was an opportunity for international and local suppliers to showcase their products and services in aquaculture.

The two-day conference program started with updates on the culture situation and perspectives for shrimp farming in Mexico by the State Aquacultural Health Committees of Sinaloa, Sonora and Nayarit. These are the top three shrimp producing states.

Well-known consultant in Ecuador, Jorge Cordova presented on production trends in Ecuador and strategies to reduce production costs. In 2024, the trend was to reduce stocking density, attain larger shrimp sizes at harvest of 30g in 10 weeks, increase the probability of success with growth lines, transfer of juveniles at larger sizes, and using automatic feeders to be more profitable. He discussed increases in profitability with higher biomass.

Mexican hatcheries use all-pathogen expose broodstocks, adapted to various farming conditions, and resistance to diseases. Mexico, has been working on improving the genetic quality of their shrimp broodstocks. In 2019, the National Commission of Aquaculture and Fisheries (Conapesca) inaugurated Genamex to produce certified shrimp broodstocks with high health and genetic variety.

Dr Gabriel Campos, ANPLAC gave some perspectives on shrimp genetics in Mexico while Thomas Gitterle, iBreed Aqua, USA, highlighted the importance of genetic selection against diseases and growth. He compared practices in Asia versus that in Mexico and how Asian farms can stock 100 PL/m2 and have growth at 3g/week.

Leon

Executive Director; Ramses Chavez, COO of Acuicola 11 de Diciembre and Secretary at Acuacultores de Ahome A.C; Michel Padilla, Manager of Acuacultores de Ahome; Jaime Almazan, CEO of Alimentos El Pedregal; Fernando Espinoza, Director of Bioplanet Mexico; Paola Marquez, Director of Grupo Marquez and Raul Soto, Director of Acuacultores del Quinto Dia.

See page 8-12 for an article on

Professor Luis Vinatea, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil discussed combined effects of oxygenation, saturation and salinity as well as the basics of super saturation versus productivity, oxygen parameters with feed conversion ratios and savings with feed amounts. He also covered positioning of aerators, aeration with pond depth and the ratio of aerator horsepower to shrimp biomass (kg).

Dr Victoria Alday, NAQUA, Saudi Arabia, discussed biosecurity strategies adopted by farms in Asia and Latin America which led to a discussion on specific pathogen free (SPF) versus specific pathogen resistant (SPR) broodstocks. Pablo Intriago, South Florida Farming, discussed the syndrome of las bolitas (LBS), which is a significant issue in shrimp hatcheries, particularly affecting Penaeus vannamei. LBS is characterised by the formation of spheres or “bolitas” in the hepatopancreas of the larvae, which eventually migrate to the intestine. This condition leads to severe digestive system issues and high mortality rates, up to 90%. The topic on emerging shrimp diseases presented by Alexander Varela, Itson discussed various bacterial infections which may pose significant threats to shrimp farming in Mexico.

Conafab Director Genaro Bernal Cruz (second right), and the team, from left; Javier

Romero,

Acuicola 11 de Diciembre.

The GAM team, from left, Rafael Peňa, Supply Chain Director; Misael Marisal, Logistics Manager; Ana Karen Carrillo, CEO and Alejandro Carrillo, Logistics Coordinator.

IMPACT, BANGKOK, THAILAND

Co-located with Organized by

In 2023, the Global Shrimp Foundation launched the Global Shrimp Council (GSC) as part of the global effort to increase consumption through targeted marketing communications on the benefits of adding shrimp to daily diet. At this congress, David Castro, Co-Chair of the GSC Board, and CEO at Manta Bay, a Mexico-based seafood trading company, discussed the advantages of a worldwide collective shrimp brand.

Ronnie Tan, US Grains Council gave a global perspective on shrimp demand, supply and price outlook, as well as trends and technology in Asian shrimp aquaculture. He also included opportunities for distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and corn fermented protein (CFP) in shrimp feed. The supply side, especially from Ecuador, has been the key disruptor changing the equilibrium. The demand side in the past 3 years has been buoyed by China but the outlook is that poor consumer confidence will stagnate demand and these low prices are expected to stay for the near future.

Shrimp production in 2024

The industry estimate on Mexico’s shrimp production in 2023 was 175,000 tonnes to 200,000 tonnes. Back in 2013, when the industry was impacted by early mortality syndrome (EMS), production went down to 40,000 tonnes from 100,000 tonnes in 2012. It has steadily overcome EMS and made a good recovery up to 190,000 tonnes in 2022. In November, farmgate price for 16g shrimp was USD4.30 and direct cost of production was USD3.35/kg, with feed accounting for 50-55% and energy 20%.

Mexico is the fourth largest exporter of shrimp to the US. The local shrimp consumption is estimated at 250,000300,000 tonnes or about 2.3kg per capita. Mexico is not self-sufficient, but it does not allow shrimp imports except from El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras.

One of Mexico’s largest shrimp vertical integrators is Grupo Aquicola Mexicano (GAM). The company produces 5,000 tonnes in 2024. It has four farming sites - in Sinaloa and Sonora, it is semi-intensive culture at 15-25 PL/ m2, and in La Paz, Baja California, it is 25 PL/m2. Shrimp size ranges from 16g to 35g, with the former for the US markets and the latter for high end markets in Mexico. The processing plant is in Los Mochis. The new shrimp farm in Colima is designed for intensive farming at 200 PL/m2

An active aquafeed market

The Mexico feed market is estimated to be above 300,000 tonnes per year. The market leader is local feed miller, Vimifos. Multinational producers such as Cargill and ADM have significant market shares. Two leading shrimp integrators, the GAM Group and ARY Group also have feed operations. GAM has technical support in meeting the needs of the market, hand in hand with Zeigler Feeds.

Vimifos based in El Salto, Jalisco was founded in 1977. Vimifos produces a wide range of animal feeds tailored to different species. It produces both pelleted and extruded aquafeeds for vannamei shrimp and tilapia.

Famsun (formerly Muyang) has been in Mexico for the past 12 years. In Mexico, with the short cycle (April to November), feed producers buy extruders which enable them to produce pet foods during periods when there is no demand for shrimp feeds. Furthermore, extruders allow for lesser number of raw materials in the formulation and post pellet fat inclusion.

Technification and innovations

Acuicultec is a company based in Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico but founded in Mazatlan. The company’s goal is to automate farming processes with a comprehensive digital platform that allows farmers to control various aspects of their operations, such as feeding, aeration, and water parameter measurement, all within a single software. It is collaborating with leading shrimp farmers on using sonic technology for feeding.

Shrimpl has a shrimp farm management program. This is the go-to data platform for aquaculture insights and risk management. It uses data to help businesses thrive, make smarter decisions, and maximise gains. It bundles solutions which can significantly lower shrimp farming’s adverse impacts. The carbon footprint model enables investors to make informed environmental, social and governance (ESG) calculations. Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) are crucial for securing financing and investments aimed at the long-term sustainability of farms.

The feed company Grupo El Pedregal introduced Tomota to Mexico. This is a comprehensive AI and IoT-powered solution for sustainable shrimp farming developed in Vietnam. El Pedregal Silver Cup has a range of feeds from larvae to grow-out for shrimp as well as freshwater and marine fish. It also produces specialised diets for pets. www.conacua.com

At Shrimpl, Daniel Peñalosa Martinell, Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) (left), and and COO, Ciaron Mckinley.

Marcelo Costero, Commercial Director (right) at the Vimifos booth.

Ronnie Tan, Consultant, USGC, Malaysia, presented on shrimp demand, supply and price outlook, as well as trends and technology in Asian shrimp aquaculture.

Aquaculture and its innovators at the Asia-Pacific Agri-Food Innovation Summit

P art of Singapore’s International Agri-Food Week (SIAW), the seventh edition of the Asia-Pacific AgriFood Innovation Summit welcomed 800 delegates from 40 countries; among them were 176 investors and 110 startups to share experiences and forge new partnerships to build agri-food capacity and resilience in Asia. The summit featured in-person sessions at Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre. It was held on November 19-21, 2024.

Ensuring food security in the APAC region for future generations

During his opening address, Dr Koh Poh Koon, Senior Minister of State at the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment in Singapore expressed concerns regarding food supply disruptions caused by climate change and erratic weather patterns. Singapore imports more than 90% of its food and is particularly vulnerable to global food supply disruptions. This highlights the need for some local production, as a form of food insurance.

Innovation will continue to play a key role in building local production capabilities. “In the agriculture and aquaculture sector, new technologies like precision farming, vertical agriculture, and closed-containment aquaculture systems are just a few examples of how innovation is transforming the way we grow food here. These technologies allow us to grow more with greater efficiency and climate resilience than before.”

Climate adaptation in shrimp farming

In the opening plenary, Nguyễn Hoàn Liêm, Vice General Director, Minh Phu Seafood Company, Vietnam, outlined how the company maximises land use and environmental sustainability with the rice-shrimp model. Minh Phu is the largest shrimp company, vertically integrated with hatchery, farming, R&D, processing and exporting. It produces 70,000 tonnes of shrimp annually.

In more than 1,000ha, it operates super-intensive vannamei shrimp culture. With the monodon shrimp, there is extensive culture in mangrove areas and the riceshrimp model. In the latter, farmers grow rice during the wet season and shrimp during the dry season. Liem gave the four key factors for the exceptional quality of these

Su-E Yap, The Nature Conservancy, Singapore (left) moderated the fireside chat on Restorative ocean economies: Strengthening the role of aquaculture in the global food system with, from second left, René Benguerel, Blueyou Group, Switzerland; Adam Brennan, Thai Union Group, Thailand and Brian Tsuyoshi Takeda, Urchinomics/ Kelp Forest Foundation, Norway. Photo credit: Rethink Events Ltd.

Rice Shrimp 5 in 1: Premium HLSO (headless shell on). It is naturally farmed shrimp in rice fields with no commercial feed. There is live harvesting and transport with oxygen from farm to factory to ensure maximum freshness. It uses the Ikejime method for instant stunning to maintain quality and taste. Finally, rapid processing locks in freshness.

Growth with digitalisation

Michael Voigtmann, Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer at Singapore Aquaculture Technologies (SAT) moderated a panel discussing how to accelerate growth in the blue economy sector.

There is a lack of data for making data-driven decisions in India’s shrimp aquaculture, noted Rajamanohar Somasundaram, CEO and Founder at Aquaconnect, India. The challenge is understanding production inefficiencies and access to working capital. Banks stay away because of the lack of transparency in the value chain. He added, “With technology, we get transparency, predictability and solve challenges. This is how technology can help with improving efficiency along the value chain.” Aquaconnect has remote sensing linked with field monitoring to give insights on the ground and farmers get better access and productivity and buyers can connect and get productionlevel information.

Dr Thanh My Nguyen, Founder and Chairman, Rynan Technologies said that to produce one tonne of shrimp in Vietnam requires 6,000- 9,000kW energy and emits 13.5 tonnes of CO2 equivalent (CO2e) for each tonne of shrimp. He said that deploying total digital solutions requires new farms, built to integrate a digital technology model with efficient oxygenation and data management. The goal is to reduce energy usage. Rynan has a digital platform called Tomgoxy® to optimise shrimp farming operations. It is energy efficient and consumes 75% less electricity compared to traditional intensive shrimp farming methods.

At SAT, Voigtmann works a lot with decision support tools and on the integration of data. On mitigating risks, Karim Ghannam, Co-Founder and Chief Investment Officer, 8F, Hong Kong, gave his view as an investor. RAS is a capex-intensive business. There are execution risks, such as cutting back on construction costs, which incur

potential risks in terms of production. Before considering digitalisation, it is critical to settle this risk and then controlling production becomes a much simpler process. In turnkey systems, data is accessible, but management needs key data critical to produce fish that meet specified criteria in line with feed conversion ratio and profitability.

Early-stage startups pitching

These included several startups from pre-seed and seedstage through to Series-A from all areas of the agri-food value chain with technologies to drive a more efficient, sustainable and food-secure future. The winner was Singapore’s startup, Impacfat which produces Omega-3 fish fat/oil using stem-cell technology. Mandy Hon, CEO said this starts by isolating stem cells and developing lines for the specific fat. Some startups relevant to aquaculture included the following.

Oo-nee harvests sea urchins to build scalable seafood systems. Aaron Huang, Co-Founder & CEO explained that it collects sea urchins from kelp forests and farms them in RAS. It is already marketing products from its facility in Oregon, USA.

Australia’s Seastock cultivates seaweeds onshore and extracts seaweed and algae-based compounds for commercial applications. Tom Puddy, Co-Founder and Managing Director explained that the extraction technology was developed by CSIRO. They also extract red pigments from the seaweed to replace synthetic compounds.

James Yin, CEO at V-Plus Agritech, Singapore, has developed stackable modular urban aquaponics farms which are sustainable and commercially viable net-zero circular farms. The startup is building farms in Singapore’s

hotels, schools, caterers, community clubs, nursing homes, etc., with in-house kitchens, so the food is from farm to kitchen. There are 10 successful projects and it is bidding to expand into the Middle East.

Restorative ocean economies

Moderated by Su-E Yap, Director of Corporate Engagement, The Nature Conservancy, Singapore, this fireside chat revolved around the role of aquaculture in the global food system. René Benguerel, Founder and CEO, Blueyou Group, Switzerland, said that in Asia, most producers are community-based and family smallholder farmers and aquaculture is the most important source of livelihood. There is a longstanding tradition of farming a diverse range of species in a nature-based, restorative manner.

Aquaculture has its detractors and when not done well, can degrade marine ecosystems, pollute waterways, etc., said Yap. Adam Brennan, Chief Sustainability Officer, Thai Union Group, Thailand, explained how the company is tackling some of these challenges. Sea Change 2030, its new sustainability plan targets five areas. The first is reversing nature and biodiversity loss, protecting the ecosystems where farms operate and minimising the environmental impact, such as wastewater. The second area is around social labour and safeguarding the workers. The third is around feed, fundamental from an environmental perspective, and the focus ensures that feeds in the supply chain are responsibly sourced. The fourth area is tracking antibiotics use across its supply chain and reducing antimicrobial resistance. Lastly, traceability, which is the enabler to achieving the other four. He said that without having digital interoperable traceability right down to the farm level, it is very difficult to drive targeted interventions and walk the talk.

Overgrazing sea urchins are destroying and eating up kelp forests. The way Urchinomics/Kelp Forest Foundation solves this problem is by removing sea urchins and growing and feeding them in land-based systems. The product is premium seafood. This contributes to the restoration of kelp forests, which covers around 30 to 35% of coastal ecosystems and is a nursery to fisheries, said Brian Tsuyoshi Takeda, Founder/ Advisor. He sees that the three siloed industries of wild caught fisheries, aquaculture and marine ecosystem restoration can converge and balance back the ecosystem; by populating ocean stocks using genetically responsible restocking programs and aquaculture practices is bringing overfished carnivorous species back into the oceans.

The beauty of aquaculture is not only producing sustainable proteins but also supporting the existing wild catch fisheries while restoring nature, concluded Takeda. agrifoodinnovation.com

The panel on “Leveraging digital technology in aquaculture: Progress in solutions to accelerate growth in the blue economy sector,” was moderated by Michael Voigtmann, Singapore Aquaculture Technologies, Singapore (right) with Karim Ghannam, 8F, Hong Kong (left) and Thanh My Nguyen, Rynan Technologies, Vietnam. Present virtually was Rajamanohar Somasundaram, Aquaconnect, India. Photo credit: Rethink Events Ltd.

SMS Koh touring exhibition panels at Singapore Food Agency (SFA)’s pavilion at the Agri-Food Tech Expo Asia. Explaining the panels was Lim Yi-Lin, Director, Industry Development and Community Partnership Division, SFA. Photo credit: SFA.

Aquaculture Transformation: Actions Towards High Quality and Food Security

World Aquaculture 2025 China

April 24-27, 2025

The Annual International Conference and Exposition Qingdao, China

Hosted by World Aquaculture Society (WAS) and China Society of Fisheries (CSF)

Co-hosted by

National Fisheries Technology Extension Center (NFTEC)

Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences (CAFS) State Key Laboratory of Mariculture Biobreeding and Sustainable Goods (BRESG)

Organized by Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute (YSFRI) CAFS and World Aquaculture Society

Conference Sponsors To Be Announced WAS Premier Sponsors

WA25 China info – www.was.org or contact apcsec@was.org; worldaqua@was.org Exhibition, sponsors – mario@marevent.com

Celebrating a million mark with an innovative probiotic

Aquaintech Inc. has an innovative probiotic specifically for aquaculture. Its global sales are rapidly pushing past the one million kg mark for PRO 4000X. This is a tableted blend of proprietary strains of Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis. For many years, Aquaintech Inc, was the only company selling tableted Bacillus spores for use in aquaculture. In use in more than a dozen countries, by shrimp and fish farmers, it has been found to result in consistent outcomes provided adequate biosecurity measures are in place and farmers adjust their usage rates as the cycles progress.

The company said that direct application of the bacterial spores to the pond bottom where the organic matter accumulates, the bacteria improve water quality by reducing the levels of organic matter in the sediment and the water. They oxygenate the sediment water interface getting rid of anaerobic gases such as hydrogen sulphide and methane, reduce levels of ammonia and lower the loads of potential pathogenic Vibrios . PRO4000X is a valuable field proven tool for improving biosecurity. Its ease of use eliminates employee error. The company encourages customers to determine what works the best for their specific culture conditions.

Aquaintech Inc offers many different sizes of the probiotics. The most common sizes are 5g and 16g tablets. Different size tablets are for different applications. “Appearance may vary although content does not. Whether to use them in an automatic feeder or apply

them directly to problem areas, the probiotic offers the versatility for many different approaches. Clients in India, Ecuador, Vietnam, Indonesia, Mexico and many other countries benefit from the use of PRO4000X,” said the company in a press release.

It added that it can private label the formulation as well as offer alternatives for clients who want a wider range of species and counts in their products. The probiotic is also available as a powder along with custom blends (AquaPro B, F and EZ). With this press release and celebrating the one million mark, Aquaintech is offering a special discount for first time customers buying more than 100 kg. aqua-in-tech.com

Ecuador.

how

AquaGenetics do Brasil is now GenoMar Genetics Brasil

AquaGenetics do Brasil announced its transition to a new name and visual identity, becoming GenoMar Genetics Brasil . This change reflects a stronger integration with the GenoMar Genetics Group, a global leader in tilapia genetics. GenoMar has been at the forefront of tilapia research and breeding for nearly 35 years, delivering genetically improved fingerlings and juveniles to the industry worldwide.

Even though the name and visual identity are being updated, the company maintains the same commitment to innovation, biosecurity, and high-quality genetics. The organisation reaffirms its dedication to the Brazilian market, ensuring the continued supply of its two marketleading brands: Aquabel and GenoMar.

The top-performing tilapia from these brands are thoroughly documented through laboratory experiments, field trials, and customer’s feedback. These fish are genetically selected for important traits such as growth, survival, and disease resistance. Optimised over several generations, they provide significant benefits to both farmers and the processing industry.

AquaGenetics do Brasil announced its transition to a new GenoMar Genetics Brasil. This change reﬂects a stronger Genetics Group, a global leader in tilapia genetics. GenoMar research and breeding for nearly 35 years, delivering genetically juveniles to the industry worldwide.

“This change is a strategic milestone to further strengthen our market position. It reflects the solidity and tradition of the GenoMar Genetics Group, of which we are proud to be a part. Brazil is the fourth-largest producer of tilapia in the world, and we have significant investments planned for this industry,” said Gustavo Bozano, the company’s global CEO. genomar.com

Even though the name and visual identity are being updated, commitment to innovation, biosecurity, and high- quality dedication to the Brazilian market, ensuring the continued brands: Aquabel and GenoMar.

A photo demonstrating

well the tablets work on a farm in

A photo demonstrating how well the tablets work on a farm in Ecuador.

AquaGenetics do Brasil is now GenoMar Genetics Brasil

Product Manager and Business Development Manager for Health

Dr Jan Koesling has joined INVE Aquaculture product team as Product Manager and Business Development Manager for Health, since January 6. INVE says that this addition aligns perfectly with the strategy to further focus on health solutions in grow-out farms, one of its key growth pillars alongside the hatchery nursery core business in live food and early-stage fish and shrimp diets.

Koesling brings over 20 years of experience in animal health, continuously more focused on pond and cage aquatic animal health, spanning Asia-Pacific, Latin America, the Middle East, and Europe, with expertise gained as a resident in China, Vietnam, and Thailand. With a PhD in Immunology, a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree, and an MBA in Business Administration, he has built an impressive career. Most recently, he served as Warm Water Aquaculture Innovation Lead & Head of Technical Service at Elanco Animal Health and held both regional and global roles at Bayer Animal Health.

Area Manager Vietnam

Effective November 15, 2024, Hai Dang Do is Area Manager Vietnam for INVE Aquaculture. In his new role, Hai will oversee operations in Vietnam, leading the team and reporting directly to Amir Khalil, Regional Sales Director APAC & China. Hai is no stranger to INVE Vietnam. From 2000 to 2012, he played an integral role in the organisation, first as Assistant General Manager and later as General Manager of the Representative Office of INVE Vietnam. “We are thrilled to welcome Hai back and look forward to his contributions as we continue to strengthen our presence in Vietnam.

Dr Jan Koesling has joined

and early-stage ﬁsh and shrimp diets

Koesling brings over 20 years of experience in animal health, continuously more focused on pond and cage aquatic animal health, spanning Asia-Paciﬁc, Latin America, the Middle East, and Europe, with expertise gained as a resident in China, Vietnam, and Thailand. With a PhD in Immunology, a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree, and an MBA in Business Administration, he has built an impressive career. Most recently, he served as Warm Water Aquaculture Innovation Lead & Head of Technical Service at Elanco Animal Health and held both regional and global roles at Bayer Animal Health.

“Jan’s extensive experience and deep understanding of the aquaculture and animal health industries make him an excellent fit for our team,” said Isabel Represas, Product Director at INVE Aquaculture. “We are very happy to have him on board as we continue to strengthen our focus on health solutions.”

“Hai brings extensive experience and a deep understanding of the aquaculture industry in Vietnam. His leadership and familiarity with our operations make him an invaluable asset as we continue to grow in the region,” said Fernando García Abad, Commercial Director at INVE.

“Jan’s extensive experience and deep understanding of the aquaculture and animal health industries make him an excellent ﬁt for our team,” said Isabel Represas, Product Director at

Expressing his enthusiasm for the role, Hai Dang Do commented, “Returning to INVE feels like coming back home. I am excited to rejoin this dynamic team and look forward to building on the strong foundation already in place, driving growth and innovation in Vietnam’s aquaculture sector.” inveaquaculture.com

EDITORIAL CALENDAR 2025

Look out for AAP’s annual report on trends in Asia’s production of marine shrimp and aquafeeds

Deadlines -Technical articles November 15, 2024 February 3 March 13 May 15 July 17

Deadlines - Advert Bookings November 22, 2024 February 10 March 20 May 22 July 24

Innovations/ Startups

September 18

September 25

Experiences and opinions covering role models; clear and present needs of industry; innovations and digitalisation in aquaculture

Interviews with industry leaders Leaders driving change, innovations and sustainable aquaculture

Issue focus Emerging trends and challenges Nursery & Hatchery

Industry Review

Health & Disease Management

Sustainable & Responsible Aquaculture

Demand & Supply Equilibrium Aquaculture Innovations

Health & Disease Management

Marine Shrimp Marine Fish Aquafeed Production Tilapia Marine Shrimp Catfish & Freshwater Fish

Feeds & Production Technology Functional Feeds/Additives/ Controlled Systems

Marketing and certifications

Fishmeal/oil Industrialisation

Sustainable Ingredients Hatchery Technology

Alternative Ingredients

Larval & Nursery Feeds/ Feed management Feed Enzymes

Market and product developments, post harvest processing, generic marketing, certifications, branding, food safety etc Company/Product News News on activities at international, regional and local conferences and trade shows

Events ( *show preview)

VIV Asia 2025, Bangkok, Thailand March 12-14

VietShrimp International Cantho City March 26-28

World Aquaculture 2025 China, Qingdao April 24 – 27

Seafood Expo Global Barcelona, Spain May 6-8

Shrimp Aquaculture Conference, Bali, Indonesia May 21-22

Giant Prawn 2025 Huzhou, China June 8-11

zuridah@aquaasiapac.com

TARS 2025 Shrimp Aquaculture Chiang Mai, Thailand August 20-21

Global Shrimp Forum 2025, Utrecht, The Netherlands September 2-4

International Aquatech Taiwan Taipei, September 3-5

The 14th Asian Fisheries and Aquaculture Forum (14AFAF) is a scientific forum organised by the Asian Fisheries Society (AFS) once every three years to understand the global trends and address issues and challenges faced by the fisheries and aquaculture sector. The main purpose of this forum is to provide an international platform for eminent scientists, young researchers, and other stakeholders across the globe to share their research experiences and innovative ideas. By facilitating the exchange of a diverse range of knowledge and expertise, the forum with the theme ‘Greening the Blue Growth in Asia-Pacific’ aims to address key issues towards developing sustainable fisheries and aquaculture.

Technical sessions include:

• Resource assessment and management for sustainable fisheries

• Sustainable aquaculture intensification and diversification

• SMART Aquaculture for resource-use efficiency

• Fish genetics, genomics & biotechnology

• Aquatic animal nutrition, feed technology and alternate feed resources

• Aquatic animal health management and antimicrobial resistance

• Aquatic biodiversity, environment and ecosystem services

The 14th Asian Fisheries and Aquaculture Forum (14AFAF) is a scientific forum organised by the Asian Fisheries Society (AFS) once every three years to understand the global trends and address issues and challenges faced by the fisheries and aquaculture sector. The main purpose of this Forum is to provide an international platform for eminent scientists, young researchers, and other stakeholders across the globe to share their research experiences and innovative ideas. By facilitating the exchange of a diverse range of knowledge and expertise, the Forum with the Theme ‘Greening the Blue Growth in Asia-Pacific’ aims to address key issues towards developing sustainable fisheries and aquaculture.

• Impact of climate change on fisheries & aquaculture and resilient strategies

• Post-harvest processing, value-addition, and food safety

• Socio-economic dynamics & extension in fisheries and aquaculture

• Gender in fisheries & aquaculture

There will be an exhibition to showcase achievements and products of the scientiﬁc and academic organisations and industry related to ﬁsheries and aquaculture. There will be additional events such as a symposium on aquatic animal diseases: emerging challenges and preparedness Technical sessions include:

• Resource assessment and management for sustainable ﬁsheries

• Sustainable aquaculture intensiﬁcation and diversiﬁcation

• SMART Aquaculture for resource-use eKiciency

• Fish genetics, genomics & biotechnology

There will be an exhibition to showcase achievements and products of the scientific and academic organisations and industry related to fisheries and aquaculture. There will be additional events such as a symposium on aquatic animal diseases: emerging challenges and preparedness.

• Fisheries education, skill development and technology incubation

• Fish marketing, value chains and trade

• Fisheries policy, law, and governance

• Aquaculture in China

• Aquatic animal nutrition, feed technology and alternate feed resources

• Aquatic animal health management and antimicrobial resistance

• Aquatic biodiversity, environment and ecosystem services

14AFAF is scheduled for February 12-15, 2025 at the ICAR Convention Centre, National Agriculture Science Complex (NASC), New Delhi, India.

• Impact of climate change on ﬁsheries & aquaculture and resilient strategies

• Post-harvest processing, value-addition, and food safety

• Socio - economic dynamics & extension in ﬁsheries and aquaculture

• Gender in ﬁsheries & aquaculture

• Fisheries education, skill development and technology incubation

2025

• Fish marketing, value chains and trade

• Fisheries policy, law, and governance

• Aquaculture in China

More information: www.14afaf.in/https://14afaf.in/ registration/

March 26-28

VietShrimp International Can Tho, Vietnam vietshrimp.net

14AFAF is scheduled for 12-15 February 12-15 February 2025 at the ICAR Convention Centre, National Agriculture Science Complex (NASC), New Delhi, India.

February 3-7

34th Annual Practical Short Course on Feeds, Pet Food and Aqua Feed Extrusion; Texas A&M, USA teesedge.tamu.edu/online/extrusion

April 24-27

More information: www.14afaf.in/https://14afaf.in/registration/

World Aquaculture 2025 China Qingdao was.org

May 6-8

February 12-15

14th Asian Fisheries and Aquaculture Forum (14AFAF) New Delhi, India asianfisheriessociety.org

March 6-10

Aquaculture 2025 New Orleans, USA was.org

March 12-14

VIV Asia 2025, Bangkok, Thailand vivasia.nl

Seafood Expo Global Barcelona, Spain seafoodexpo.com

May 21-22

Shrimp Aquaculture Conference 2025 Bali, Indonesia sac.pmindo.com

June 8-11

Giant Prawn 2025 Huzhou, China giantprawn.org/aitaquaculture.org

August 20-21

TARS 2025

Shrimp Aquaculture Chiang Mai, Thailand tarsaquaculture.com

August 21-23

Vietfish 2025 Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam vietfish.com.vn

September 2-4

Global Shrimp Forum 2025 Utrecht, The Netherlands shrimp-forum.com

September 3-5

11th Aquaculture and Fisheries Expo Taiwan (IAFET) 2025 Taipei taiwanagriweek.com/en/

September 22-25

Aquaculture Europe 2025 Valencia, Spain aquaeas.eu