Speaker Category: Speaker

Abstract

Toxins in shrimp aquaculture are often overlooked and underestimated despite their profound effects on shrimp health and productivity performance. Major toxin categories affecting shrimp farming include endotoxins, exotoxins, mycotoxins, and environmental toxins.

Endotoxins, primarily from Gram-negative bacterial infections, trigger inflammatory responses, disrupt shrimp’s gut microbiota, hepatopancreas integrity and weaken shrimp immunity, resulting in reduced growth and higher mortality rates. Exotoxins secreted by pathogenic bacteria such as Vibrio species contribute to devastating diseases such as Early Mortality Syndrome (EMS), Acute Hepatopancreatic Necrosis Disease (AHPND), and White Faeces Syndrome (WFS), disrupting digestive and systemic functions leading to poor gut health and immunity.

Mycotoxins contaminants in aquafeed, impair metabolism and organ health, compromising feed efficiency and immune defences. Environmental toxins including heavy metals, pesticides, and harmful algal blooms that can accumulate in shrimp tissues and organs, contribute to the negative effects of shrimp physiological processes.

The presentation will focus on key toxins, explore the sources and impacts of these toxins while discussing practical mitigation strategies to enhance shrimp health, improve productivity, and promote sustainable aquaculture practices.

Abstract

The presentation will cover the systemic and individual drivers of sustainability, highlight the role of regulators and stakeholders in demanding sustainability criteria, explain how the measurement of production impacts is being harmonized, and how alignment can help supply chain stakeholders to comply with regulations and established industry standards.

Abstract

This presentation explores the evolution and strategic development of Ecuador’s shrimp industry, highlighting key lessons that can inform sustainable growth in global aquaculture. It will begin by examining production figures and trends that have positioned Ecuador as a global leader. An analysis of production models will reveal what practices have driven success and which have fallen short and offering valuable insights.

The discussion will dissect the industry’s cost structures, focusing on the impact of stocking densities and the shift toward technification as a resilience and competitiveness driver. The value chain, from genetics and hatchery operations to processing and export logistics, will be mapped to identify leverage points. Ultimately, the strategic takeaways aim to inspire other countries to adopt innovative, efficient, and sustainable approaches to shrimp farming.