THE CRUST - ISSUE #12

CEOThe CHIEF EDITOR OVERVIEW

CEOThe

elcome, dear readers, to August’s edition of THE CRUST. This month’s issue will be one of a two-part series focusing on the Shrimp Aquaculture Conference (SAC) 2023 content. We want to summarize what the speakers taught us in their 30-minute presentation. But we realize that it is impossible to fit what the speakers shared into a single page. We hope these issues can act as a quick introduction to our event and what exciting things are in store. It is also a way to honor the many speakers that graciously put aside their time from around the world to share their knowledge in their respective fields.

Greetings, dear readers, to September’s edition of THE CRUST. This issue also commemorates our first anniversary. It has been a long journey, and what started as a wild idea has been followed through to be something that stood for at least a year. We want to thank the sponsors for their support, for without their help, we wouldn’t be able to sustain the magazine. We also want to especially thank YOU, our amazing readers whose interest and enthusiasm in aquaculture are the reason why we keep going! We hope that this will be the first of many years to come so we can keep sharing and promoting aquaculture to the world.

In this issue, we will put the spotlight on the seven speakers presenting on the first day: Alex H. Farthing, Abung M. Simanjuntak, Regis Bador, Budi Tanaka, Dr. Melony Sellars, Andrew Campbell, and finally, Dr. Dean M. Akiyama. The topic they present ranges from the importance of lab to farm management. From the plankton in your shrimp ponds to how to market your product effectively in this changing market and customer demand. We had a wide range of topics covering almost every shrimp aquaculture aspect.

This month’s issue will also be the second of the two-part series focusing on the Shrimp Aquaculture Conference (SAC) 2023 content. We want to summarize what the speakers taught us in their 30-minute presentation. However, we realize it is impossible to fit what the speakers shared into a single page. We hope these issues can be a quick introduction to our event and what exciting things are in store. It is also a way to honor the many speakers who graciously put aside their time worldwide to share their knowledge in their respective fields.

In this issue, we will put the spotlight on the seven speakers presenting on the second day: Dr. Chalor Limsuwan, Rubianto Haliman, Martha Mamora, Wan Nadhri Wan Fauzi, Anuar Sani, Huynh Le Dinh, and Benedict Tan. The topic they present ranges from disease solutions to setting up your own research and development, from sustainability projects to attracting external investments. We will have many topics covering almost every shrimp aquaculture aspect.

of contaminants in aquafeed ingredients. These contaminants are commonly called mycotoxins, and it has a detrimental effect on fish and shrimp health. Research done recently showed that 95% of produced aquafeed is contaminated with said toxins. Though the severity of these toxins to aquatic animals’ health hasn’t been researched extensively, it causes concern about how it has affected our production performances. Additives to counter this adverse effect, mainly mycotoxin binders, have been used extensively in terrestrial animals such as poultry. These toxins are primarily found in certain ingredients that replace fish meals, which should also concern farmers since the feed industry is now moving to replace more of them. Farmers need to be informed of this and do their own research because this is a silent problem that might significantly affect the farms’ bottom line.

Southeast Asia region is The Aquaculture Roundta ble Series. This year this yearly event will talk about shrimp aquaculture and focuses on the theme: “Re generation.” We think this topic aligns with one of our organization’s goals: ensuring the sustainability of the aquaculture industry by preparing the next genera tion to take over. Due to this reason, it is unsurprising that some of the leaders in Petambak Muda Indonesia will be joining the event and also take an active part in some of the sessions. But some say we’re thinking about this too far ahead, talking about regeneration, while the industry faces hardships and uncertainty.

Another topic that has been garnering news right now is sustainability. And we’re not just talking about sustainability in the farm, but also in feed mills, processing, and marketing. I’m glad to hear this because, for the longest time, sustainability efforts are usually pushed down to the upstream side without considering the consequences. It’s great to see that some retailers are making an effort and committing a premium for a product that has been sustainably and responsibly sourced. This incentive hopefully will be felt up to the farmers’ side.

meting recently. Some say the condition is the worst in the recent decade or two. In dire situations like this, I remembered an excellent motto from the owner of a big feed miller whom I respected, who had recently passed away: “We make money if the farmers make money.” I genuinely think it’s a good mindset from someone who realizes each sector is a link in this industry’s supply chain. Not one aspect is more

THE CRUST - RIZKY

This industry is only as strong as its weakest link; if one link is broken, the whole industry will collapse. How ever, I believe that only in bad conditions is where the strength of the industry and everyone involved in it is tested. It is the time to endure and solidarity.

Rizky Darmawan Chief Editor

A news that I’ve been hearing is about the danger

Rizky Darmawan Chief Editor

Dr. LimsuwanChalor

At the Shrimp Aquaculture Conference 2023, Dr. Chalor Limsuwan, Aquaculture Business Research Center (ABRC) at Kasetsart University in Thailand, was given the opportunity to share experiences and solutions to shrimp disease problems in Asia. He shared his experience in dealing with shrimp diseases in Thailand and the current situation in his country.

El Nino Effect

Global warming will set the stage for extreme weather and affect shrimp farming. Dr. Chalor said El Nino is causing warmer temperatures throughout Asia and

Rainy season

What happens in shrimp farming during the rainy season? Dr. Chalor said that during rainy days, shrimp eat less, but no mortality is observed along the pond edges because the aerators are turned on.

“On rainy days, we don’t see anything because the shrimp move to the pond’s center because the temperature in that area is warmer than outside. However, unhealthy shrimp are observed at the pond’s edge and even die after a sunny day in some ponds. When that happens, it means something is wrong in the pond. Maybe there was a lot of mud and sediment all over the pond, and we never checked. Of course, this

EXPERIENCES AND SOLUTIONS TO SHRIMP DISEASE PROBLEMS IN ASIA

the world, affecting water quality, causing high mortality and severe losses. In this situation, shrimp farmers will face several problems.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) less than 4 ppm during a sunny day with abundant phytoplankton. Oxygen depletion at night and shrimp swimming near the surface will result in high mortality after molting with soft shells and whitish or opaque muscles.

“Too high temperatures can affect plankton stress because each plankton should have an optimum temperature of around 30°C. Meanwhile, temperatures above 32­34°C are very stressful and can denature some proteins or enzymes,” he said.

Dr. Chalor recognized that extreme weather is inevitable. Therefore, growers need to take steps to prevent problems in their ponds. Measure DO levels more frequently or use real­time DO monitoring equipment. If DO is lower than the set level, turn on the aerators until DO rises to the required level. Measure total hardness (the amount of dissolved calcium and magnesium in the water) with a test kit, although most farms never measure total water hardness. Total hardness divided by salinity should be between 150­200. If it is less than 150­200, add calcium carbonate daily until it is in the range.

wouldn’t have happened if our ponds were treated properly. After the rain, the shrimp eat more without mortality,” Dr. Chalor explained.

When shrimps move, they must use their muscles to swim. If you find that their muscles are cloudish in color, it means they lack oxygen. Meanwhile, if the shrimp dies with mustard­like coloring on its body, it could be caused by mineral imbalance, not disease. Therefore, we should add some minerals to the feed.

Shrimp Farming Culture in Thailand

In Thailand, almost 95% of the culture is white shrimp, mainly produced in large sizes and good quality for export to Chi­

na. Shrimp farming is also not free from diseases, where many white feces occur during the 30­50 days in the grow­out pond. After the white feces are removed at this stage, the remaining shrimp will likely develop slow growth.

Dr. Chalor said growers must select good quality post larvae without EHP to prevent and minimize white feces. Good pond and water preparation and routine monitoring are also required. Act quickly if white feces traces are found on the water surface, reduce the amount of feed, remove organic matter from the pond bottom using a central drain, and turn on all aerators.

THE CRUST - DEE, RIZKY

Unhealthy shrimp will be observed at the edge of the pond after a sunny day

FUNCTIONAL FEED TO FIGHT DISEASES

Some challenges the Indonesian shrimp farming industry has been facing are the current low prices and the number of diseases still threatening farms across the country. These problems are still being felt by farmers who have already invested in this business and were addressed by Martha Mamora, the Farm Application Manager for Adisseo APAC, as she began her presentation at the Shrimp Aquaculture Conference (SAC) 2023.

According to Martha, with current conditions, farmers must be careful with their investments, including using functional feed additives in their farming system. “If the farmer is using some additional products, they would expect to get some benefits out of it, whether it is an increase in productivity, feed nutrition, or shrimp health. This is where our company (Adisseo) focuses on to support the farmers and this industry,” Martha said.

Diseases Challenge

According to her experience after visiting numerous farms in Indonesia and conducting disease surveillance, Martha shares how farming conditions right now are contaminated by bacteria, viruses, parasites, and syndromes. These result in growth problems, early mortality, daily mortality, and massive mortalities. She pulls an example of how PLs shouldn’t contain any traces of EHP and have zero vibrio. But in reality, plenty of samples contain EHP and vibrio. “It’s true that in some samples, it was only detected in the water, but some are also detected in the PLs. What to do then if the diseases have already infected the PLs? Fight or live with the disease?” Martha implores.

In Martha’s opinion, right now, we cannot close our eyes to the presence of contamination. Diseases and outbreaks will happen when the shrimp is weak, the pathogens are uncontrollable, and there is no improvement in water quality. For Martha, other than improving water quality, using functional feed additives can improve shrimp health because they can help reduce pathogen presence inside the shrimp. However, this will not work if the environment is not well­managed.

Martha also explains animal health programs to the farmers, where she needs their support for their disease history and early warning system. “From the disease history, we can set up preventive measures. Because often it is not a preventive measure anymore if we see the PLs already have a problem,” she adds. Next, she needs support to get shrimp health monitoring data and the biosecurity application.

What is a functional feed additive?

What Adisseo has is a top­dressing product. Some farmers use feed additives on­site because they don’t have enough feed volume to reach the minimum capacity to include it in the feed mill. Martha continues that Adisseo can provide farmers with what they ask for, but she recommends that they calculate the cost of what they use in their farming operation. Is the cost acceptable and can improve pond productivity, and is the cost still acceptable with the current shrimp price?

Some essential criteria for feed addi tives explained by Martha are: Functional feed must be safe for the shrimp, and it has to be free of antibiotics. According to her, functional feeds have their own peak le­

vel. When the support can’t be supported anymore by the animal’s body, it can have a negative impact. Farmers need to learn how to use the product correctly. Antibiotics are also dangerous because the residue could create more problems in the future.

Functional feed additives also maximize productivity because there are problems with bacteria, polyinfection with viruses, and other syndromes today. There are functional feed additives with antibacterial inhibitor activity that work together with antiparasite and as an immunostimulant. Other feed additives enhance the digestibility of feed and nutrients. All of these additives will support the farmers to delay diseases, faster recovery, and increase survival and growth. Martha also says this cannot solve 100% of the disease problem but will minimize the risk.

Regarding functional feed additive programs, Martha always starts by discussing them with the farmer. What are their problems, disease history, and what happened in the previous crop? Then, Martha can create a program based on their expectations and targets. “For the program, there is preventive and corrective. A combination of those strategies minimizes the impact of the disease in an endemic area. Then how do you track if the functional feed additive works or not? By tracking and reviewing the product effects,” she concludes.

THE CRUST - UTE, RIZKY

SAC 2023

In this article, we will cover the main points that each participant conveyed during the Talkshow session. The talk show primarily focuses on what the participants think about the state of the shrimp farming industry, what could be done to improve, and what to expect in the future.

During the Talkshow session at the Shrimp Aquaculture Conference (SAC) 2023, Wan Nadhri Wan Fauzi, CEO of Blue Archipelago Berhad (BAB), talked about “Managing and improving big shrimp farms.” He underscored a pivotal point: the significance of farm size. Historically, larger farms were favored for economies of scale, but the landscape of shrimp farming has evolved. Modern technologies enable impressive yields on smaller farms, challenging the conventional belief that “bigger is always better.”

”Maybe 15 years ago, bigger farms would equate to economies of scale. But be mindful that 15-20 years ago, there were certain technologies today that we have that were not available back then. Twenty years ago, stocking densities of about 50 pieces were considered average and high. I said 70 would be high. Today, if you talk to people, 70 pieces per square meter,

people will probably raise their eyebrows and say, ‘Are you making money’?” he added.

However, he underlined that pond size truly depends on the cultivation principles held by the farmer or owner. Whether large or small, both sizes can be strengths for some farmers and weaknesses for others.

Regarding managing a big farm topic, Anuar Sani, COO of Blue Archipelago Berhad (BAB), gave his particular perspective on Indonesian farmers. He said that in an archipelago country like Indonesia, which is much different from Malaysia, the logistics aspect must be taken seriously so that production can remain efficient and produce competitive products. “I think we did not put logistics as our constraint in our presentation. But I think for Indonesia, with a wide area of land, you have to put logistics as one of your constraints,” he said.

Innovation can be developed not only by using an on-farm production approach but also from the institutional aspect. This was conveyed by Huynh Le Dinh, Executive Director at Vietnam Sustainable Shrimp Alliance. Huynh said that a cooperative approach is viable in Vietnam, where smallscale shrimp farming predominates. Farmers have united to form cooperatives that foster collaboration and link them with seafood companies. These cooperatives streamline the supply chain, reducing in-

termediaries’ involvement and ensuring equitable profit distribution among individual farmers. This cooperative model has gained momentum in sustainable certification endeavors, bolstering the shrimp industry’s reputation.

“Farmers can be able to make their business through the cooperative services. Nowadays, we have established so many cooperatives in Vietnam, especially in the sustainable certification stream production.” Huynh said.

The talk show also discussed the role of investment in the growth of the shrimp industry. This relatively new growing industry, but highly risky, means that investments do not always succeed as expected. This is also reflected in startups not always succeeding in taking off.

However, investment opportunities in the aquaculture and agriculture tech industries, in general, would still exist, in line with the continued demand for food. In this regard, Benedict Tan, Programme Manager of Hatch, offered a simple formula: X - Y = Z. Y represents various challenges and risks in aquaculture. In contrast, X represents innovation opportunities that can continuously enhance its value. So, in the long term, the value of Z will remain positive. “So that will result in a margin at the end of the day. And the margin will continue to drive your business,” he concluded.

Anuar Sani, Wan Nadhri Wan Fauzi, Huynh Le Dinh, Benedict Tan, and Denny Leonardo from PMI as a moderator

Protect your profits

Mitigate risk through mycotoxin deactivation

In addition to rising feed costs, mycotoxins further impact profitability by impairing growth performance and health status. The risk is never zero. Mycotoxin risk management is the insurance policy to secure feed quality and safety, whilst optimizing productivity.

Reduced risk

Increased productivity and efficiency

Sustainable production

If not us, who? If not now, when? WE MAKE IT POSSIBLE Follow

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT TO SUPPORT THE SUCCESS OF SHRIMP CULTURE

Challenges in shrimp farming seem never-ending, particularly in technical aspects like disease management, water management, seed supply quality, nutrition, and feed management. These relentless challenges force all stakeholders, from farmers themselves to input suppliers, to seek and discover innovations to combat these challenges and improve their chances of success. Research and Development (R&D) plays a pivotal role in this regard.

According to the Head of Technology Research and Development (TRD) at CP Prima, Rubiyanto Widodo Haliman, shrimp farms face ongoing challenges, making R&D an ever-essential task for large corporations and shrimp farmers.

sive framework for conducting R&D within the shrimp industry. This framework commences with requests for trials tailored to specific objectives, such as exploring novel cultivation methods. Subsequently, research protocols are meticulously crafted, serving as the bedrock of the entire R&D process.

R&D activities in shrimp farming encompass a journey from in-vitro and in-vivo laboratory experiments to field-scale trials before reaching conclusive findings. “All research must adhere to a scientific approach,” Rubi emphasized specifically.

Finding New Early Opportunities for Development

At the corporate level, Rubi and his team engage in various research activities. One of their focuses is discovering new shrimp cultivation methods, particularly the less autotrophic approach to reduce reliance on algae. The problem with the prevalent autotrophic cultivation process is the risk of triggering algae blooms, which can lead to rapid declines. This, in turn, increases the chances of high organic loads and the emergence of green vibrio bacteria (GVC) or total vibrio count (TVC), which can affect disease outbreaks and shrimp mortality.

Rubiyanto Widodo Halim

The hypothesis is that relying less on autotrophic processes can reduce the dependence on algae, leading to stable algae minimal pH fluctuations. Additionally, their recent research involves utilizing IgY (immunoglobulin Y), a common antibody serum from birds, amphibians, and reptiles, to combat diseases. According

to him, IgY is highly concentrated in chicken egg yolk.

“So we can inject the chicken with inactivated antigens such as AHPND. Then, we observe the chicken for 3-4 weeks. Then we collect the serum from its blood to check whether the immunoglobulin Y presents there.”

Furthermore, Rubi and his team have been exploring new potential probiotics derived from diverse sources, including ­mangroves, fish guts, and shrimp guts. These prospective probiotics have demonstrated promising outcomes in in-vitro studies, effectively reducing the risk of vibrio infections. Currently, the team is in the process of conducting in-vivo field trials in collaboration with other experts to validate these findings. Their latest research is to explore its feasibility by cultivating shrimps within cages, a practice more commonly used for fish and lobsters.

Setting Up Scale Farm Laboratories

In addition to large corporations, R&D activities hold equal significance for farmers or owners operating at the farm scale. Given the differing objectives compared to production teams, Rubi suggested that dedicating specific staff to R&D projects is crucial.

Furthermore, it’s essential to allocate ponds or tanks for trials, ensuring sufficient repetition of experiments to yield meaningful results. If the number of ponds is limited, research can be conducted in one or two ponds using a net for multiple treatments and repetitions.

As for laboratory observation activities, he splits farm labs into three levels. The first level, which is the most basic, requires a microscope and water quality testing equipment for daily observation. The next level can be equipped with rapid tests and microbiology assessments. “If we want to take it a step further,” he adds, “we can equip it with PCR for molecular testing.”

According to Rubi, regardless of the level, the most crucial aspect for farmers or owners is how research data can be analyzed, interpreted, and applied to enhance cultivation processes. Additionally, research findings can add value if it’s published in scientific journals.

MANAGING AND IMPROVING BIG SHRIMP FARM INC.

The business class session at the Shrimp Aquaculture Conference

2023 featured Wan Nadhri Wan Fauzi and Anuar Sani, CEO and COO of Blue Archipelago Berhad (BAB), Malaysia’s integrated, state-owned shrimp company. They discussed the importance of teamwork to manage and elevate an integrated shrimp farm to the next level.

Blue Archipelago has two farms built for geographical reasons. One farm on the East Coast, the other on the West Coast. They are fully integrated, from hatchery operations to processing facilities to produce products under their own brand.

Anuar Sani explained that the iSHARP farm (Integrated Shrimp Aquaculture Park) is located on the East Coast, Terengganu, and has been operating since 2011. The land size of the farm is around 2,400 acres, divided into two areas. Currently, only one of the areas that is active, this farm area comprises of 278 ponds (5000 m2 per pond) with full HDPE lining; the production capacity of this area is around 4,500 tons/year.

Meanwhile, iKERPAN (Integrated Kerpan) is located on Kedah’s West Coast. It is an old farm constructed and managed by a company from Saudi Arabia in 1992, BAB acquired the farm in 2008. The land area of the farm is around 1,000 acres and comprises of 171 ponds (8000 m2 per pond) with full HDPE lining; the production capacity of this area is around 2,500 tons/ year.

“Both locations have their own hatcheries. iSHARP farm’s hatchery started to operate in 2015. The hatchery includes two blocks for broodstock, 64 tanks for

post larvae, and a capacity of 50 million PL/ month. Whereas iKERPAN farm’s hatchery started to operate in 2010, the hatchery is supported with 32 tanks for post larvae and a capacity of 20 million PL/month. We also have a processing plant in Kedah, which started to operate in 2010, with a land area of 3,500 m2, a production capacity of 15 tons/day, and a cold storage room with a capacity of 100 tons. Some of our products include live harvest, chilled raw material, head-on shell on, headless shell on, peeled and deveined by individual quick freezing (IQF), and also a semi-individual quick freezing (SIMQ) method made particularly to meet the demand of buyer from the US,” Mr. Anwar explained.

Big = Grand?

Though BAB’s business size is big, the company has faced its own challenges. Mr. Wan Nadhri openly explained how the company lost around RM 104 million in a sevenyear period (2012-2018), meaning that BAB lost around RM 3.60 for each kilo of shrimp.

Given the situation, the company did the common measure, which is a quick SWOT analysis. “We discovered our main strengths, which are size, people, data, and certification. Our weaknesses are a lack of control, aging assets, and communication. Meanwhile, the opportunities are capacity, quality and quantity, and new markets. Threats are vulnerable, rising costs, and broodstock,” he said.

He continued that based on the SWOT analysis, the company is trying to develop and improve a winning formula. “We understand that revenue is affected by quality, shrimp price, and tonnage. Meanwhile,

production costs are affected by feed, electricity, fry/PL, and wages. We hope the Y factor will always be smaller than the X factor to guarantee a positive margin. But how to achieve that?”

Mr. Wan Nadhri realized that in current conditions, instead of being a production-driven company, we should become a market-driven company. “We must listen to what the market needs and give a favorable solution. Cost-wise, we can spend less and try to minimize every aspect, but we cannot forget our core values. We also need to be a control freak, it’s painful, but it’s a necessity. Furthermore, profit is necessary for a business to thrive. It will determine how much reward that employees will receive; another way to explain is everyone has their own profit and loss.”

“Other than that, there are many other things we can control. First is the post-mortem, not only when we fail but also when we turn things around. Secondly, shareholder support, is also very important because without their understanding and support, we will struggle to survive. Third, this is equally essential is integrity, and it is usually associated with not taking bribes and not abusing power. However, in our terms, integrity is defined across other things, which are the data and processes we go through. Fourth, which is as important, is educating the team’s mindset on profit and loss,” he added.

Thanks to BAB management’s efforts over the last four years (2019-2022), the company successfully turned things around. They posted a profit of over RM 47 million and made a profit of RM 2.70 for

[BAB farms] Blue Archipelago Berhad’s farms on Malaysia’s East and West Coast

Wan Nadhri Wan Fauzi

SaniAnuar

MARKETWET

It’s been no secret that the market is somewhat horrible this year. But what can we do about it? This is the age old question that everyone has been asking themselves. It’s not just been a bad year for shrimp. Almost everything, with the exception of a few niche items, has been horrible. Sales are bad, consumption is bad. It does not help that seafood is by & large seen as a luxury item and people are reluctant to have it when they feel that their wallets are being squeezed. Seafood trends can be said to follow the stock market, when it’s up, people feel rich & are willing to splurge. When it’s down people don’t feel like they have the money to spend. It’s a perception of course but the perception affects the spending patterns of consumers which in turn translate into a very real effect on prices.

In order to figure out what to do, we first have to understand the pattern. Are we through the worst of it? Valentine’s Day sales were fine which led importers to believe that there might be a rebound but Mother’s Day sales absolutely snuffed out any hope of a decent year. Most importers have had to grit their teeth & absorb losses. Thanksgiving is around the corner and after that Christmas. Will we have any luck there? With the US economy on the rebound, there does seem to be some hope in that direction. However there is a massive black hole in the Chinese market. By all accounts consumption seems to be low but there is no firm numbers coming out of China. We know consumption is weak as Ecuador has been trying to months to raise their asking prices but they keep coming back down. Size 30/40 HO is trading at 5.00. It was at

4.80 in June & a lot of the Ecuadorians tried to bring it up to 5.20 but there were no bites. Next week is Chinese golden week, we will see what that does for consumption. After that, the Chinese start placing orders for Chinese New Year.

Indian shrimp season came & went. Harvests were delayed in April in the hopes that prices might rally. They did not resulting in bigger shrimp being harvested & hitting the market. There was talk of 16/20 EZP being offered at 3.30. As usual, many Indian packers went into Boston in March spreading the word that farmers were not seeding as prices were low so we might see prices rebound. Did not happen. We are entering the second Indian crop & it remains to be seen if truly the farmers did not seed.

THE IMPORTANCE OF SHRIMP SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION AND BRANDING

The challenges in shrimp industry development are not only about production. There are also significant market challenges, especially in terms of promoting shrimp to be more recognized and familiar among the public. During a business talk session at the Shrimp Aquaculture Conference 2023 held in Movenpick, Jimbaran, Bali, Huynh Le Dinh, a shrimp practitioner from Vietnam, gave insight into what Vietnam is doing to boost its shrimp marketing and make shrimp production sustainable in the country.

Huynh, who is the Executive Director of the Vietnam Sustainable Shrimp Alliance, stated in his presentation that the total value of shrimp exports and processed shrimp products from Vietnam reached $4.3 billion in 2022. This value was supported by exports to 103 countries and regions, with a total productivity of 1,080 million metric tons from 747,000 hectares of shrimp farms.

The main destinations for Vietnam’s shrimp production are members of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), such as Australia, Brunei, Cana-

da, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, and Singapore. Not to mention the European Union countries, Taiwan, China, and Korea. Together, they contribute up to 97% of the value of shrimp exports and processed shrimp products from Vietnam.

According to Huynh, the main shrimp species in Vietnam are still vannamei and black tiger shrimp. The total area of black tiger shrimp farms reaches 610,000 hectares, with a production of up to 271,000 metric tons. As for vannamei shrimp farms, they cover an area of 117,000 hectares, with a production of 743,000 metric tons.

Vietnam’s Shrimp Farming Models

Huynh explained that there are several shrimp farming models used in Vietnam. These include monoculture systems, polyculture systems, mangrove-shrimp integration, and paddy-shrimp integration. “In monoculture shrimp farming, we only cultivate one type of shrimp, namely vannamei, for super-intensive farms. With a density of 100-300 shrimp per square meter. That includes a very high density,” he explained.

Next, Huynh continued, there’s monoculture system with intensive farming of both vannamei and black tiger shrimp, with a density of 10-50 shrimp per square meter. These two species are also cultivated in semi-intensive ponds with lower densities. Polyculture systems, where two shrimp species are cultivated together, are also present in Vietnam. Huynh stated that this extensive system is usually used for cultivating black tiger and vannamei shrimp simultaneously, with a density of 3-5 shrimp per square meter.

Mangrove areas in Vietnam are also utilized for cultivating black tiger shrimp. The recommended stocking density for extensive mangrove-shrimp systems is 3-5 shrimp per square meter. “Actually, this system is also considered polyculture, involving shrimp and other aquatic animals. The price of these shrimp is relatively ex-

pensive because they are already certified organic,” explained Huynh.

In addition to mangrove systems, shrimp integration with paddy fields is also practiced in Vietnam. Huynh considers this system to be SMART Agriculture as it provides a solution to the ongoing climate change. “The species used are black tiger shrimp, and sometimes fresh prawn. The density is similar to mangrove-shrimp integration (3-5 shrimp per square meter),” he added.

The Importance of Sustainable Shrimp Production

Huynh emphasized that Vietnam recognizes the importance of maintaining sustainable shrimp production while preserving the environment. This is believed to bring additional benefits to the communities that rely on shrimp farming and the surrounding environment, while ensuring economic stability and profitability.

According to Huynh, the use of sustainable farming systems such as closed smart farming systems and recirculated aquaculture systems can reduce negative impacts on the environment. This will undoubtedly enable the shrimp industry to thrive in the long run. He also stated that adopting sustainable practices in shrimp farms will enhance the reputation and ease of selling shrimp products in a wider market.

Huynh stated that there are at least three main goals in implementing sustainable shrimp farming. The first goal is Economic, where it can create numerous job opportunities and stimulate the local economy in the vicinity of the farms.

The second goal is Social, which aims to provide safe and reliable protein sources to address the issue of malnutrition in developing countries. The third goal is Environmental, wherein sustainable farming systems are expected to protect and improve coastal ecosystems, preserve wild shrimp populations, and safeguard the habitats and ecosystems surrounding the farms.

Photo source : The CRUST, Doc. Huynh

The Shrimp Aquaculture Conference 2023, which took place in Movenpick, Jimbaran, Bali in June 2023, not only discussed shrimp farming management. The event also featured speakers from investment practitioners to provide up-todate information regarding funding options that farmers can access to develop their businesses.

In the Business Class session, Benedict Tan, the Programme Manager of Hatch - an aquaculture investment and innovation company with representatives in Hawaii, Norway, and Singapore, was present. Ben explained that Hatch was established at the end of 2017 due to concerns from one of its founders, Carsten Krome, who at that time worked for the world’s largest aquaculture investment company and noticed many start-ups failing to meet their investment targets from that company.

Carsten saw the need for a company to accelerate existing fisheries start-ups and produce competent aquaculture entrepreneurs. Of course, this would require the appropriate knowledge and equipment

to enable them to grow significantly before others invest in them.

Ben conveyed that Hatch’s main objective is to produce high-quality seafood through investment and the application of cutting-edge technology. Since 2017, Hatch has invested in 40 companies worldwide, and there have been 4 successful cohorts to date with a funding of up to US $8 million.

Hatch Investment

The scope of investments managed by Hatch is extensive, ranging from raw materials and nutrition businesses, to software and hardware for aquaculture, health and genetics, alternative seafood, supply chain services, ocean conservation and blue carbon, as well as marine biotech. The total investment funds disbursed by Hatch exceed US $100 million.

Hatch itself, as Ben explained, can enter companies in the seed stage all the way to take off. In this role, it acts as a business angel. Its role evolves as the company progresses through various stages until it eventually secures venture capital funding.

Hatch takes several steps to assist innovative players in the aquaculture industry, including actively providing mentorship with over 100 expert practitioners from around the world. Hatch also grants access to related industry networks, investors, and other financial institutions. “In fact, Hatch offers cooperative partnerships such as discounted R&D facilities with Pontus Aqua Ltd, including contract research,” added Ben.

The acceleration program conducted

by Hatch can take up to 9 months, following a pre-determined schedule. Ben explained that the acceleration process involves 30% in-person sessions, 50% virtual interactions, and 20% program breaks that occur concurrently from January to September.

Investing at the right time

Ben also reminded participants of SAC 2023 to be careful in determining when to increase their investments. According to him, the right time to add venture capital investment is when a company needs acceleration to dominate the market or conduct long-term research. He advised that before taking such steps, companies should focus on building value and preserving equity. The success of venture capital funding in the aquaculture business lies in having strong management. Additionally, funded ventures should have the ability to access the global market. If the company involves technology, then the created technology should be applicable to various species and

ATTRACTING INVESTMENTS FOR GROWTH

THE CRUSTHK, DENNY Photo

MAXIMIZING YOUR EFFECTIVENESS AT EXPOS AND CONFERENCES

Attending expos and conferences can be transformative experiences for professionals seeking knowledge, networking opportunities, and industry insights. However, making the most of these events requires careful planning and effective strategies.

In this article, we’ll explore how to optimize your time and effectiveness when attending expos and conferences.

1. Define Your Objectives

Before you step into the conference venue, take a moment to clarify your goals. What do you hope to achieve? Are you looking to gain specific industry knowledge, connect with potential clients or partners, or expand your professional network? Defining your objectives will guide your decision-making throughout the event.

2. Prepare

Research the event agenda, speakers, and exhibitors in advance. Identify sessions, workshops, and keynotes that align with your goals. Make a schedule but remain flexible, allowing room for impromptu opportunities.

3. Strategic Networking

Networking is a cornerstone of these events. Prioritize quality over quantity. Instead of collecting a stack of business cards, engage in meaningful conversations. Ask questions, listen actively, and be genuinely interested in others. Don’t forget to follow up with your new connections after the event.

4. Time Management

With a busy schedule, effective time management is crucial. Balance your time between attending sessions, visiting booths, and networking. Take breaks to recharge and reflect on what you’ve learned.

5. Attend Relevant Sessions

Select sessions that directly contribute to your professional development or address current industry challenges. Take notes, ask questions, and engage with the speakers and fellow attendees. These interactions can lead to valuable insights and connections.

6. Navigate the Exhibition Floor

When exploring the exhibition floor, have a clear plan. Identify exhibitors of interest and gather information efficiently. Engage in meaningful conversations with booth representatives to understand their offerings and how they can benefit your business.

7. Leverage Technology

Many events offer mobile apps or websites to help attendees stay organized. Use these tools to manage your schedule, access session materials, and connect with other attendees through social platforms. Technology can streamline your experience and enhance your networking efforts.

8. Post-Event Follow-Up

After the event, it’s essential to follow up with your new contacts promptly. Send thank-you notes, connect on professional platforms like LinkedIn, and nurture these relationships. Building lasting connections is often the most valuable outcome of expos and conferences.

To wrap it up, attending expos and conferences can be transformative for your career or business, but only if you approach them strategically. Define your objectives, prepare thoroughly, network strategically, manage your time effectively, and leverage technology to enhance your experience. By implementing these strategies, you can make the most of your time at these events, gaining valuable insights and connections that will propel your professional growth.

THE CRUST - RIZKY BREAK

TIME

Photo source : aquaexpo.com, petonline, aquaexpo.com

TACTCON

Shrimp is love Shrimp is life

The more I know, the more I realize how little I understand. So stay humble and keep on learning.

IN CRUST WE TRUST

Rizky

Darmawan

Denny Leonardo

I probably be up in the sky, deep in the sea, exploring the unknown, or building a shrimp farm

My secret to joy in life is in finding balance. Balance in family, sweating, and making decisions.