Speaker Category: Speaker

Abstract

The strategic transformation in shrimp farming practices implemented at Krabi Kieang Seng – Kitcharoen Farm, Thailand addressed four key challenges commonly faced in shrimp aquaculture: high operational risk, prolonged grow-out periods, elevated production costs, and inconsistent yields. By transitioning from conventional approaches to a structured, data-driven methodology, the farms adopted a new model built around risk mitigation, cost efficiency, productivity enhancement, and reduced days of culture.

The pre-stocking phase incorporated rigorous water quality testing (e.g., NTU, alkalinity, minerals), post larvae (PL) quality screening using a microscope, and stress test, as well as vibrio detection through selective agar media. During culture, continuous monitoring of shrimp health, water parameters, probiotic usage, and sediment control was standardized to ensure optimal conditions. Weekly sampling was introduced to monitor average daily gain (ADG) and period growth rate (PDG) and size progression.

Outcomes from the new approach showed an improvement in key performance indicators: reduction in grow-out cycle from 120-140 days to 90-110 days, an increase in average shrimp weight from 35g – 55g, and yield enhancement from 2- 3 tonnes/rai to 5-8 tonnes/rai (one rai=0.16ha).

These results demonstrate the potential for the scalable and sustainable intensification of shrimp production under a modern aquaculture system in Thailand.

*Joint presentation with Khemika Klomsuwan

Abstract

This presentation will share key findings from two recent studies focused on improving the health, performance, and resilience of Penaeus vannamei through practical feed strategies relevant to shrimp farming.

One investigation examined the impact of dietary exposure to combined mycotoxins—aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and deoxynivalenol (DON)—at both low and high concentrations, along with the mitigating effects of a yeast cell wall extract (YCWE). Even at lower doses, these mycotoxins negatively affected shrimp by weakening immune and antioxidant responses, increasing liver stress, degrading muscle texture, and disrupting gut microbiota balance. However, dietary inclusion of 0.2% YCWE significantly alleviated these issues, improving hepatopancreas and intestinal health, enhancing beneficial microbial populations, and increasing the excretion of mycotoxins through faeces. These results emphasize the importance of proactive mycotoxin management in commercial shrimp diets.

The second research effort evaluated the use of inorganic versus organic trace mineral premixes at varying inclusion levels. While inorganic minerals are widely used in the industry, their bioavailability remains a concern. The findings demonstrated that a half-dose organic mineral premix not only matched but outperformed a full-dose inorganic alternative. Shrimp fed the organic trace minerals showed better immune and antioxidant responses, improved mineral accumulation—especially zinc and copper—and increased expression of mineral transporter genes. Moreover, the organic mineral diet promoted a healthier intestinal microbiota, increasing beneficial bacteria while reducing potential pathogens such as Vibrios.

Together, these insights support the use of functional feed additives—like YCWE and organic trace minerals—as effective tools to enhance shrimp health, reduce production risks, and support sustainable aquaculture practices.

Abstract

Shrimp are slow and selective feeders, typically reared in turbid aquatic environments rich in dissolved chemicals. These conditions increase the risk of feed wastage and nutrient leaching, reducing feed quality and contributing to environmental degradation. Together, these factors impair feeding efficiency and decrease farm profitability.

However, shrimp possess highly sensitive sensory receptors distributed across their bodies, enabling them to detect chemical cues and locate food from considerable distances. Extensive research into chemostimulants and their role in chemosensory-driven feeding behavior have opened opportunities to develop practical applications that target the activation of the shrimp’s chemosensory systems. Such strategies can accelerate feed detection and ingestion, leading to improved feed utilization and overall intake.

Asia’s shrimp aquaculture industry faces pressing challenges in optimizing feed utilization, production efficiency, environmental sustainability, and shrimp health. Palatability enhancers are emerging as essential tools, not only for stimulating feed intake and promoting growth but also for supporting the use of alternative ingredients, with positive impacts on the industry’s sustainability and profitability. Moreover, these strategies contribute to improved water quality, resulting in more robust and healthier shrimp.

This presentation will explore practical case studies illustrating how improvements in feed palatability can address these challenges. By leveraging advances in chemosensory science, producers can enhance the productivity, profitability, and resilience of shrimp farming systems.

*Joint presentation with Ho Gim Chong

Abstract

For the past five or more years, there have been increasing indications that historically, the countries responsible for most of the world’s farmed shrimp production have struggled to increase production levels and maintain competitive costs. At the same time, Ecuador has made headlines for becoming a dominant force in the shrimp business, producing an increased quantity of shrimp at lower farm costs than its Asian counterparts. Asia was built on what became known as the Asian Intensive model, combining SPF genetically improved P. vannamei shrimp with aeration, well-formulated quality feeds, auto feeders, water and bottom management and an assortment of probiotic bacteria.

Asian farms applying this technology resulted in Asian dominance of world shrimp, with peak dominance pre-AHPND: 80% of world shrimp being produced in Asia in 2010. Lower shrimp availability and higher market prices during the time of AHPND resulted in the emergence of Ecuador and India as new shrimp export powers.

The emergence of AHPND also resulted in changes to the Asian shrimp model: toilets or settling basins that could be drained or pumped kept shrimp pond bottoms cleaner, use of multiphase culture (nursery), disinfectants, promotion of more remediation products, the re-emergence of antibiotic use, and maybe most importantly increases in pond shrimp density. With these changes to the model, new pathogens emerged and became the dominant cause of the increased pond failures: EHP and toxic Vibrios.

The question must be asked: Is the basic model broken, or how is this model being applied to farming today? Comparisons with culture in Ecuador, India, Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia provide insights into what has gone wrong, and what is going right.