Shrimp larvae quantity and quality: The secret to success

Disease-free broodstock shrimp help increase profitability and competitiveness

According to Mr. Ace Chua, Sales and Marketing Director of Shrimp Improvement Systems (SIS), disease-free broodstock shrimp (Specific Pathogen Free - SPF) play a crucial role in the sustainability and profitability of shrimp farming.

Firstly, they help reduce risks. Disease-free broodstock shrimp, combined with bio-secure hatcheries, produce healthy larvae, which increases the success rate in farming. In contrast, diseased larvae can lead to high mortality rates, causing significant economic losses and prolonged recovery times.

In addition, disease-free broodstock shrimp with superior genetics play a crucial role in producing offspring that exhibit fast growth rates, high survival rates, and exceptional overall performance.

Furthermore, these high-quality broodstock shrimp directly contribute to significant economic benefits. Shrimp farmers experience higher yields, shorter farming periods, and lower production costs, which translates into increased profitability and enhanced competitiveness on a global scale.

Echoing this viewpoint, Mr. David Danson, CEO of the shrimp business division at Hendrix Genetics – an internationally renowned company specializing in animal genetics and breeding, emphasized that disease-free, high-quality broodstock shrimp are the foundation of a successful and sustainable shrimp industry. Their impact is felt across five critical areas. First, farm productivity: healthy broodstock shrimp produce postlarvae (PL) that are strong and vigorous, leading to lower mortality rates, improved survival, and better farming efficiency.

Second, disease prevention: Many harmful diseases in shrimp, such as Early Mortality Syndrome (EMS), White Spot Syndrome (WSSV), White Feces Syndrome (WFS) and Enterocytozoon Hepatopenaei (EHP), originate from poor-quality broodstock shrimp. Using disease-free broodstock shrimp significantly reduces the risk of disease outbreaks and the spread of pathogens to the surrounding environment, including neighboring farms.

Third, economic efficiency: Good genetics enables shrimp to grow faster, improve feed conversion ratios (FCR) and increase both yield and profits for farmers.

Fourth, industry sustainability: Disease outbreaks can devastate shrimp farms and the entire supply chain. Investing in disease-free broodstock shrimp with high genetic quality is essential to ensure the long-term stability of the industry.

Finally, the use of high-quality disease-free broodstock shrimp is not only a competitive advantage but also a prerequisite for the sustainable development of the shrimp industry.

"Decoding" the success of leading companies

In Vietnam, SIS and Kona Bay Marine Resources (a brand under Hendrix Genetics) are two of the leading suppliers of broodstock shrimp, playing an essential role in the shrimp seed production chain. These companies not only supply high-quality broodstock shrimp but also contribute significantly to the sustainability and competitiveness of the shrimp farming industry in the region.

Mr. Ming Hsien Chen, Deputy General Director of Thang Long Biological Technology Co., Ltd. - Ninh Thuận Branch, emphasized that the production of high-quality shrimp seed relies heavily on the origin of the broodstock, nutritional control, and advanced farming techniques. Among these factors, the source of the broodstock shrimp is the most crucial element in determining the growth rate, health, and disease resistance of the shrimp larvae.

Understanding the importance of this, Thang Long chose SIS, a company specializing in providing world-leading disease-free broodstock shrimp from the United States, as its broodstock supplier partner.

Over the years, Thang Long has become the largest importer of broodstock shrimp from SIS in the Vietnamese market. With a minimum import of 4.000 pairs of broodstock shrimp annually, Thang Long has been able to maintain a consistent and stable supply of quality shrimp seed.

In an interview with the Vietnam Agriculture and Nature Newspaper, Mr. Ace Chua, Sales and Marketing Director of SIS, shared the reasons why their broodstock shrimp, along with those from Kona Bay Marine Resources, are highly valued and trusted by customers in Vietnam. According to Mr. Chua, SIS is a global leader in the shrimp farming industry, specializing in the production and supply of high-quality, disease-free broodstock shrimp. With a focus on genetic improvement and biosecurity, SIS has set industry standards for sustainable and efficient shrimp farming practices. The company's mission is clear: to provide shrimp farmers with the best genetic material to optimize yield, minimize risks, and promote sustainability in the industry.

“Our products are available in over 20 countries, including Vietnam, India, and China. SIS has earned the trust of hatchery owners and farmers worldwide. Our broodstock shrimp are the foundation for successful shrimp farming operations, delivering exceptional growth rates, disease resistance, and high survival rates", Mr. Chua affirmed.

Mr. Chua also revealed the key factors that have contributed to SIS's success. These factors are based on a strong commitment to quality, which is demonstrated through four core aspects.

First, SIS makes significant investments in breeding programs aimed at developing shrimp strains with superior traits such as fast growth, disease resistance, and high survival rates. SIS continuously improves these traits and collects field data to validate their effectiveness.

In addition, SIS strictly adheres to biosecurity protocols to prevent the entry and spread of diseases at production facilities. The company has maintained its SPF (Specific Pathogen Free) status for over 25 years, ensuring that it only provides the best, disease-free broodstock shrimp to its customers.

Furthermore, SIS's ongoing research and development (R&D) efforts enable it to stay ahead of industry challenges and adapt to emerging diseases and market demands.

Lastly, with a team of experienced scientists and aquaculture experts, SIS combines global knowledge with local adaptability to meet the diverse needs of the market.

According to Mr. David Danson, CEO of the Shrimp Business Division at Hendrix Genetics, the success of Kona Bay is based on a combination of several core factors that distinguish the company in the competitive shrimp industry.

First, Kona Bay’s success stems from its advanced breeding program, which plays a crucial role in identifying and improving optimal traits in their broodstock shrimp. This program is designed to enhance productivity by focusing on key traits such as fast growth rates, disease resistance, and the ability to adapt to various environmental conditions.

Second, Kona Bay places a significant emphasis on maintaining strict biosecurity protocols to prevent the introduction and spread of diseases. By adhering to these rigorous safety measures, they ensure that their broodstock shrimp remain disease-free and consistently meet the high standards required for Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) certification.

Third, Kona Bay leverages cutting-edge genetic selection technology and advanced phenotype assessment techniques to accelerate genetic improvements and optimize the overall performance of their shrimp.

Fourth, the company is deeply committed to sustainability, focusing on breeding shrimp that can use resources more efficiently. This includes optimizing feed conversion efficiency, enhancing resilience, and ensuring that shrimp can thrive with minimal environmental impact. This approach helps maintain high survival rates and yields while minimizing the environmental impact of shrimp farming.

Fifth, Kona Bay’s team of highly experienced geneticists, researchers, and technicians are dedicated to providing expert support to customers, helping them achieve optimal production outcomes.

“Thanks to the combination of these factors, Kona Bay continues to set the standard for high-quality, disease-free broodstock shrimp in the shrimp industry", Mr. Danson confidently affirmed.

"The use of high-quality, disease-free broodstock shrimp is not only a competitive advantage but also a prerequisite for the sustainable development of the shrimp industry", said Mr. David Danson, CEO of the Shrimp Business Division at Hendrix Genetics, an international group specializing in animal genetics and breeding.