Sustainability in the Shrimp Industry: A New Competitive Edge

Guayaquil, Ecuador – October 21, 2025 — The second edition of the sustainability forum, “Race to the Top,” attracted over 300 participants at the Guayaquil Convention Center during AquaExpo International. This pivotal event focused on the urgency of sustainability within the shrimp industry, now recognized as essential for competitive differentiation rather than merely an added value.

Transform. Inspire. Lead.

Organized by the Sustainable Shrimp Partnership (SSP) and the National Chamber of Aquaculture (CNA), the forum was centered on the theme “Transform. Inspire. Lead.” It featured 35 esteemed speakers from diverse countries including Ecuador, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Chile, the United States, Belgium, France, Germany, Denmark, and Italy, each sharing valuable strategies, insights, and success stories aimed at enhancing sustainability in shrimp production.

Core Themes and Insights

The program was meticulously organized around four critical themes: governance, economy, social responsibility, and environmental sustainability. This structure highlighted sustainability as a high-performance discipline essential for the ongoing growth of the sector.

Among the prominent speakers were representatives from the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), former NASA executives, and influencers from various fields including shrimp production, banking, food innovation, and corporate sustainability.

A Vision for the Future

“Race to the Top serves as a platform where we inspire a sustainable future in shrimp aquaculture by learning from experts,” said Pamela Nath, Director of the SSP. “It is a space dedicated to discussing the direction of sustainability, its current practices, and the steps necessary for innovation with purpose.”

José Antonio Camposano, Executive President of CNA, further emphasized, “Ecuador’s shrimp industry has been defined by innovation and investment, making it a world-leading shrimp exporter. Sustainability must be an integral part of this strategy, and with Race to the Top, we aim to showcase how Ecuadorian producers are spearheading this change and how such a model can influence global aquaculture and other sectors.”

Event Sponsors and Closing Remarks

The event received support from prominent sponsors including Cargill, Conexión Consultores, Duragas Abastible, Huawei, LarvIA, and Vitapro. It concluded with a resonant message that encapsulated its core principles: “Staying at the top requires ongoing innovation, collaboration, and purposeful leadership. It is not solely about producing the best shrimp in the world but about producing the best shrimp for the world.”

About SSP

The Sustainable Shrimp Partnership (SSP) brings together leading companies committed to transforming the future of shrimp aquaculture. Originating in Ecuador, SSP members strive for the highest quality products, adhering to rigorous social and environmental standards through enhanced collaboration and transparency.

About CNA

The National Chamber of Aquaculture is a non-governmental organization that has represented the Ecuadorian shrimp sector for over 30 years. Its mission includes promoting knowledge exchange and fostering innovation through its AQUAEXPO program, a technical-commercial event dedicated to shrimp production.

Image Caption: José Antonio Camposano, Executive President of the National Chamber of Aquaculture; Fabricio Vargas, CEO of Vitapro; Marcelo Vélez, Export Manager at Edpacif; and Sandro Coglitore, General Manager of Omarsa, participated in the session “Leading from the Top: Perspectives on Innovation, Resilience, and Market Leadership.”