Ecuador’s shrimp industry strengthens its response to climate variability and a potential El Niño event at SustainED.
- More than 120 industry professionals participated in a new edition of SustainED, the lifelong learning program led by the Sustainable Shrimp Partnership (SSP) and the National Chamber of Aquaculture (CNA).
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Thirteen national and international experts shared strategies for prevention, adaptation, and shrimp health management under increasingly variable climate conditions.
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Discussions focused on El Niño, water quality, pond management, algal blooms, and the early identification of risks that can affect shrimp production
As the possibility of a new El Niño event looms and Ecuador’s shrimp farms continue to face the challenges associated with each rainy season, more than 120 aquaculture professionals participated in a new edition of SustainED to learn about prevention strategies, health management, and adaptation measures for increasingly variable climate conditions. The event took place on June 9 at the Santa Fe Hall of the Hilton Colón Hotel in Guayaquil.
The lifelong learning program, led by led by the Sustainable Shrimp Partnership (SSP) and the National Chamber of Aquaculture (CNA), focused on preparing the sector to strengthen the resilience of shrimp farming systems. Across seven sessions, 13 national and international experts explored topics including El Niño and associated oceanographic indicators, water and soil quality management, ecological balance in farming systems, algal bloom monitoring, disease prevention, and the early identification of factors that can impact production performance.
“Climate variability reminds us of the importance of fostering a culture of prevention in aquaculture. Today, rather than simply reacting when problems arise, we need to anticipate challenges, better understand our production systems, and make informed decisions that enable us to reduce risks and adapt to changing conditions. Through SustainED, we seek to share knowledge and practical experiences that contribute to more sustainable shrimp production,” said Pamela Nath, Director of SSP.
José Antonio Camposano, Executive President of the CNA, added:
“Ecuador’s position as the world’s leading shrimp exporter has been built on our industry’s ability to learn, innovate, and continuously adapt. In the face of challenges such as climate variability, it is essential to continue promoting spaces where producers, technicians, academics, and companies can exchange experiences and learn from one another. This collaboration is key to strengthening our competitiveness and sustaining the leadership our sector has achieved.”
This edition of SustainED was sponsored by Cargill Animal Nutrition & Health and Vitapro, companies that support capacity building and knowledge sharing to contribute to a more competitive and sustainable aquaculture industry in Ecuador.
The event also brought together professionals from across the shrimp value chain, including representatives from Agrosuncorp, Cargill, dsm-firmenich, Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral (ESPOL), INVE Aquaculture, the Public Institute for Aquaculture and Fisheries Research (IPIAP), Ecuador’s Ministry of Environment and Energy, Skretting, the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC) in Brazil, and Vitapro.
SustainED will continue delivering new learning sessions throughout 2026, addressing strategic topics related to innovation, sustainability, and competitiveness in aquaculture.
About SSP
Sustainable Shrimp Partnership (SSP) is a group of leading companies committed to transforming the future of shrimp aquaculture. Pioneers in Ecuador, SSP members are dedicated to achieving and promoting the highest-quality products, produced under the highest social and environmental standards, through greater collaboration and transparency.
About CNA
The National Chamber of Aquaculture is a non-governmental organization that has brought together and represented Ecuador’s shrimp sector for over 30 years. One of its objectives is to foster knowledge exchange and drive innovation through its AQUAEXPO program, a technical-commercial event held since 1995 in several shrimp-producing provinces of the country.
Image: Panel discussion, “Aquaculture and El Niño: Lessons from the Past, Present Warning Signs, and Prevention,” held during SustainED’s edition focused on climate variability and building resilience in aquaculture. SSP