"I plan to continue my quest to help unlock shrimp's true potential as a sustainable, nutritious, wholesome and affordable everyday protein source for the masses," Robin Pearl said about his future.
Photo: Robin Pearl's LinkedIn profile.
"I want to confirm that over one month ago, I resigned as CEO from American Mariculture, American Penaeid and Sun Shrimp Gourmet. Companies that I (co)founded and where I dedicated all my energy, passion and talent over the past 11 years." With these words posted on his personal LinkedIn profile, U.S. land-based shrimp CEO Robin Pearl confirmed his resignation from his position in these companies in which, as he remarked, was also a founder.
"During these 11 years, despite many setbacks and obstacles, we accomplished a great deal. We built the industry's best team, shrimp, technology and reputation," added Pearl, who had been involved in the companies since their inception since, as mentioned, he was also a founder.
Regarding his next steps, he made it clear that his future will continue in the sector. "I plan to continue my quest to help unlock shrimp's true potential as a sustainable, nutritious, wholesome and affordable everyday protein source for the masses," he said. "It is not a question of whether I will pursue to do this, but rather what specific path I will choose next."
Although without going into explicit details, in addition to confirming the resignation and giving clues about his future, the former CEO has also used this sort of open letter on LinkedIn to explain the reasons that have led him to leave the position. "Unfortunately, after the last 2 back-to-back hurricanes and their extensive impact on our organization, an influential family group of AMI shareholders decided to take a very active role and demanded that I make changes to which I simply could not agree," he said.
"While I am very disappointed with the way my tenure at these companies that I loved so much ended, I sincerely hoped that the new corporate directors and executives would prove me wrong and make my companies enormously successful," he continued.
"I decided to keep news of my departure private, in order to give the Company and the new executive team, the best chance to continue without me. Sufficient time has now passed and given some of the current activities and or decisions, I want to make it clear I have had no involvement with the company since mid-November," Robin Pearl added.
In his statement, Pearl dedicated words of thanks to his worldwide team. "I couldn't be prouder of working with you. You have stuck by my side through the times when it really mattered. We have always punched way above our weight. You are the cream of the crop in the industry, and I could never have accomplished what we have without you," he said.
Likewise, the outgoing CEO of American Mariculture Inc., American Penaeid, and Sun Shrimp Gourment also addressed his clients. "I am so deeply honored to have earned your trust over the years. Whether the Sun Shrimp on your plate, or API animals in your ponds, you know I always made sure that no matter what, I would personally stand behind the product you purchased," he wrote.
In addition, he also had words to his vendors and other stakeholders. "I am enormously grateful that you have always stuck with me, and through lots of patience have helped me overcome our many challenges. I wish all of you the success you so much deserve."
At the time of writing this, and with only one day of presence on LinkedIn, Robin Pearl's announcement had already accumulated more than 350 reactions and over 160 comments, mostly from people in the shrimp industry, such as Gabriel Luna, co-founder of the Global Shrimp Council, but also from finfish aquaculture professionals, such as Megan Sorby, CEO of Pine Island Redfish.
In January 2024 - when she was starting her land-based RAS company to farm U.S. native red drum - Sorby told WeAreAquaculture how it was precisely the previous presence of Pearl's companies on Pine Island, Florida, that paved the way for the local community to embrace this new regenerative aquaculture project.
"Robin Pearl has done a fantastic job inspiring confidence in sustainable aquaculture and making people realize, hey, this is not some big factory that is sitting here and being a disturbance to our town," she explained then. "The tremendous amount of work he's done to put his farm there and to continue to do community outreach is something to really be acknowledged and admired, and it has gone a long way in making people accepting of a new farm."
