Speaker Category: Speaker

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.

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.