Dr. Leonardo Maridueña during the 'Comprehensive Water Quality' training session of the Scale Up program.
Photo: Sustainable Shrimp Partnership.
In March 2024, the Sustainable Shrimp Partnership (SSP) and Ecuador's National Chamber of Aquaculture (CNA) launched the 'Scale Up Program for Shrimp Hatcheries' during AquaExpo Santa Elena. One year later, both organizations have taken advantage of their presence at the same event to take stock of the first twelve months of operation of the program which, so far, has obtained very positive results.
In the same event, SSP and CNA recognized Biogemar, Omarsa Mar Bravo, and Promarisco Chanduy hatcheries for their leadership in the adoption of responsible practices in shrimp larval production in Ecuador.
As WeAreAquaculture explained when it was launched a year ago, Scale Up is an initiative developed by SSP and CNA to raise standards in Ecuador's larval production hatcheries, aligning their processes with environmental, social, animal welfare, and governance criteria.
Now, taking stock of its first year of operation, SSP pointed out that the program was born to recognize and strengthen sustainable hatcheries. Thus, during this first pilot phase, tools and advisory support were provided to closed-cycle and larviculture hatcheries, assisting them in implementing improved environmental and social practices.
As a result, 17 hatcheries joined the initiative, and more than 105 people received training through the 'Technical Guide for the Sustainability of Shrimp Larval Production Hatcheries'. Thanks to it, Ecuadorian hatcheries have been able to learn about the country's regulations for the sustainable production of shrimp larval, which, among other issues, include ensuring adequate infrastructure, responsible resource utilization, storage, sanitation, biosecurity, environmental impact, and social responsibility.
The process, the Sustainable Shrimp Partnership claimed, has increased awareness of the importance of sustainability and outlined a clear path for continuous improvement within the industry.
Having completed its first year of life, SSP and the CNA will now continue with a second edition of Scale Up to continue promoting sustainability at all stages of shrimp production, thus strengthening Ecuador's competitiveness as a world leader in the industry.
"Sustainability is an ongoing process. In the next edition of the program, we will continue recognizing hatcheries that achieve 100% compliance with the Technical Guide while expanding opportunities for more hatcheries to join and advance on this path," Director of SSP Pamela Nath said.
As mentioned above, the Sustainable Shrimp Partnership and Ecuador's National Chamber of Aquaculture took advantage of AquaExpo Santa Elena 2025 to recognize the hatcheries Biogemar, Omarsa Mar Bravo, and Promarisco Chanduy for their commitment to sustainability in shrimp larval production as part of the progress achieved through the Scale Up program.
According to SSP, through training, audits, and the implementation of operational improvements, these three hatcheries achieved 100% compliance with the standards outlined in the 'Technical Guide for the Sustainability of Shrimp Larval Production Hatcheries'.
Both the Director of the Sustainable Shrimp Partnership, Pamela Nath, and the Executive President of Ecuador's National Chamber of Aquaculture, José Antonio Camposano, commented on the importance of the involvement of hatcheries in the Scale Up program and the reason for this recognition for these three hatcheries in particular.
"Scale Up has provided clear guidelines to optimize processes and resources, implement responsible practices, ensure animal welfare, comply with national regulations, and meet international standards in shrimp larval production. Seeing hatcheries improve their performance throughout this project and recognizing the value of sustainability as a standard confirms that we are on the right path," Nath said.
"As the first stage in the shrimp production chain, hatcheries lay the foundation for sustainable shrimp farming," Camposano added. "This recognition validates their commitment and reaffirms that responsible production strengthens both efficiency and competitiveness in the sector."
"These hatcheries are proving, with real action, that sustainability is a competitive advantage for our industry," the Executive President of CNA concluded.
