Loc Tran

Founder & Director (ShrimpVet Laboratory) & Founder and CEO (EcoSeafood Group)

ShrimpVet Laboratory and EcoSeafood Group

Vietnam

Loc Tran is Founder & Director of ShrimpVet Laboratory which he established in 2013. This is an independent research company that provides various services and products for global aquaculture. Research at ShrimpVet includes genetics, disease diagnostics and disease management, hatchery and farming technologies, nutrition, therapeutics development and new aquaculture technologies.

Since 2024, Loc Tran is Founder and CEO EcoSeafood Group, an environmental, social, and governance-focused spinoff of ShrimpVet Laboratory. Under the EcoSeafood Group, this scientist-turned-entrepreneur is charting a new course with a greenfield aquaculture project in Bac Lieu and to spread his vision for a new model that emphasises efficiency, sustainability and technology transfer.

Loc Tran has a PhD in shrimp pathology and disease from the University of Arizona, USA and an MBA in business finance from Andrews University, USA. He was Director of the Asian Pacific Aquaculture chapter of the World Aquaculture Society, and has worked with many organizations and institutions worldwide to foster sustainable aquaculture practices and innovations.

Session

Risk Management, Health & Functional Feeds

Presentation

Functional Ingredients in Aquafeeds for Risk and Health Management

Abstract

Functional feeds are pivotal in advancing aquaculture health management and mitigating production risks. As a dedicated contract research organization (CRO) in aquaculture, ShrimpVet has validated numerous innovative products and solutions that demonstrate significant improvements in industry outcomes.

This presentation reviews key functional ingredients and feed additives that contribute to better aquatic animal health and productivity. Particular emphasis will be placed on nucleotides, probiotics, single-cell proteins, organic acids, botanical extracts, insect meal, and fermented soybean or corn concentrates, highlighting their mechanisms of action and practical applications in aquaculture systems.

The efficacy of these ingredients in enhancing disease tolerance against major shrimp diseases, including EMS/AHPND, TPD, and EHP, as well as their effects on growth performance, gut health, and overall robustness, will be discussed. In addition, potential limitations, risks, and best practices for integrating functional ingredients into feed formulations will be addressed.

By synthesizing current scientific evidence, industry experience, and recent innovations, the aim of this review is to provide the aquafeed and aquaculture industry with practical insights for optimizing feed strategies and developing more sustainable, resilient, and productive farming systems.

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