The Sustainable Shrimp Partnership (SSP) and the National Chamber of Aquaculture (CNA) in Ecuador have unveiled the Scale Up Programme for shrimp hatcheries during the 2024 Santa Elena AquaExpo convention. This initiative marks a significant step towards promoting sustainable practices in the shrimp aquaculture industry, emphasizing both environmental stewardship and social responsibility.

Elevating Standards for Sustainable Shrimp Aquaculture

The Scale Up Programme aims to raise the bar for shrimp aquaculture by ensuring that sustainability principles are integrated into every stage of production, starting from the hatchery. Through this program, shrimp hatcheries will receive guidance and tools to implement efficient and responsible practices across their operations.

As part of the Scale Up Programme, guidelines have been developed to establish regulations for sustainable shrimp larvae production. These guidelines focus on various aspects, including compliance with regulations, infrastructure, resource utilization, sanitation, biosecurity, environmental impact, and social responsibility.

Reinforcing Ecuador’s Commitment to Sustainability

The Scale Up Programme not only enhances industry standards but also strengthens Ecuador’s commitment to sustainability. By promoting responsible practices in shrimp aquaculture, Ecuador aims to solidify its reputation as a global leader in sustainable shrimp production.

Implementing the guidelines at the hatchery level will lead to a more transparent aquaculture industry. It highlights the importance of biosecurity measures, advanced water treatment processes, and reducing the use of chemicals to minimize environmental impact.

Training and Audits for Shrimp Larvae Producers

To support participating hatcheries in implementing the regulations, the Scale Up Programme includes training sessions and audits. These initiatives aim to assess compliance with regulations and provide feedback for continuous improvement.