Craig Browdy
Chief Technology Officer
SyAqua Group Pte Ltd
USA
Craig is the Chief Technical Officer of SyAqua Group, where he leads the company’s technology and innovation team. SyAqua is a global technology company specializing in shrimp breeding, genetics, and advanced hatchery solutions, with a strong focus on driving sustainability and productivity in shrimp aquaculture.
Craig is a past president and fellow of the World Aquaculture Society. Over the past 40 years, his research has focused on both basic and applied science to advance farmed seafood production technologies. His contributions span shrimp health, physiology, genomics, and sustainable aquaculture system design.
He has led interdisciplinary efforts to develop more sustainable, biofloc-based production systems; explore the genetic basis of shrimp health; enhance breeding strategies; and create nutritional technologies and novel products to improve shrimp growth and resilience. He previously served as Assistant Director of the South Carolina Marine Resources Research Institute, where he led the Waddell Mariculture Research and Development Center.
Craig has also held leadership roles in the private sector, including Executive Manager for Global Aquaculture Research and Product Development at Novus International Inc., and Director of Research and Development at Zeigler Bros. Inc., a global leader in shrimp nutrition. He has edited three books and authored over 120 peer-reviewed publications and book chapters.
| Session | Precision Shrimp Farming & Gap Analyses: Weak Links at Early Stages |
| Presentation | First Things First: Genetics, Hatcheries, and Stocking Strategies for Peak Shrimp Performance |
Abstract
Profitable shrimp harvests begin with the successful stocking of high-quality seed. The foundation of a productive crop depends on the genetics, health, and overall quality of the postlarvae (PL) stocked into the pond. As the shrimp farming industry has matured, farmers now have more options, including access to genetically improved stocks, advanced technologies for commercial maturation and larval culture, and effective quality control and assurance methods.
Well-managed, reputable genetic programs offer lines with faster growth, improved robustness, and increased tolerance to specific pathogens. However, concerns about genetic integrity must be addressed to build greater confidence among farmers. In major production areas, growers have a wide range of hatcheries to choose from when sourcing PL. Hatchery operators today benefit from improved technologies for biosecurity, water quality management, the production or procurement of high-quality nauplii, and the use of live, fresh, and manufactured feeds.
Advancements in automation and standardized methods for assessing PL quality—such as morphometrics and health evaluations—are enabling farmers to make more informed procurement and stocking decisions. One of the most critical factors for effective pond management is understanding accurate stocking numbers and early survival rates. While nursery systems have shown varying levels of success across regions, their effective application can lead to the stocking of larger, healthier shrimp, which in turn supports higher productivity and profitability.
As Dr. M.S. Swaminathan, the father of India’s Green Revolution, aptly stated, “Quality seed is the first step towards a good harvest.” This principle holds true across all forms of agriculture, including shrimp farming. Despite increasing pressure on growers to reduce costs due to narrowing profit margins, seed costs remain a small fraction of total production expenses. In contrast, even modest improvements in survivability—driven by seed quality—can have a significant impact on overall profitability. Financial sustainability in shrimp farming depends on investing in and ensuring the accurate stocking of healthy, high-quality, genetically improved seed.