Photo: Sustainable Shrimp Partnership.
The month of March, ending today, has marked the seventh anniversary of Ecuador's Sustainable Shrimp Partnership (SSP). During this time, in addition to being a commitment, sustainability has become a proactive, inspiring, and constantly improving process for the organization. "Leading by example has not only been a strategic foundation but also our greatest source of learning," SSP Director Pamela Nath reflected.
"SSP has matured as an organization, establishing itself as a pre-competitive ecosystem that promotes sustainability beyond its own producers," Nath continued. "This evolution has been the result of a permanent commitment to progress and innovation. As SSP has grown, so have its strategies, initiatives, and the reach of its impact."
That maturity of the organization and its evolution during the process is what the Sustainable Shrimp Partnership considers its greatest achievement over these seven years, beyond the transformation of the industry, which has also been achieved.
In taking stock of its trajectory, the SSP claimed that its members have raised the bar in the global aquaculture industry by positioning a premium shrimp that meets the highest social, environmental, and safety standards, demonstrating that quality, competitiveness, and responsible practices are not exclusive concepts.
In these seven years of activity, the development of Ecuador's Sustainable Shrimp Partnership has been marked by four major milestones that have redefined its role in the sector:
The consolidation of the SSP certification as the most sustainable, demanding, and transparent production standard in the sector. Through rigorous on-farm audits, the model ensures compliance with the highest social and environmental standards, antibiotic-free production, neutral impact on water, and full traceability with blockchain technology.
The creation of the Sustainability Leadership Roundtable. A strategic space to bring together producers, experts, and key players in the aquaculture industry, this platform has fostered collaboration to raise sustainability standards, promote innovation, and address the challenges of the Ecuadorian shrimp sector.
The inclusion of small and medium-sized stakeholders in sustainability efforts through the 'Scale Up' program. This initiative, which seeks to improve environmental, social, and operational practices in production, both on farms and in larval laboratories, completed its first year this March. In just twelve months, the program has trained more than 100 people and has involved 17 laboratories committed to adopting best practices, optimizing processes, reducing environmental impact, and strengthening production capacity under sustainable criteria.
The promotion of consumer awareness. It has done so through initiatives such as the Shrimp Summit Ecuador, where retailers and suppliers learn first-hand about the producers' commitment to sustainability, or collaborations with chefs and nutritionists, which, in turn, have resulted in nutritional and culinary guides that provide consumers with tools to make informed decisions. In addition, SSP has also developed a sustainable development education program for the industry, called 'SustainED', as well as the 'Race to the Top' sustainability forum.
As for today and the near future, SSP - which in 2024 joined the Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative (GSSI) as an affiliated partner and culminated the year by presenting its first Sustainability Report - seeks to foster a market where sustainability is no longer a competitive advantage but the standard.
According to the Sustainable Shrimp Partnership, the legacy of these seven years is measured in the ability to inspire others to join in this responsible production and sourcing. "In the coming years, SSP will continue innovating, expanding its impact, and bringing in more allies to transform global aquaculture," concluded its Director, Pamela Nath.
