In 2013 aquaculture exceeded the volume of seafood that is fished from the oceans. Aquaculture has been growing with a CAGR of 4.6% between 2000 and 2019. The aquaculture industry is valued at 275 billion USD in 2019. 91% of global aquaculture is farmed in Asia; China accounted for 57% of global production while the rest of Asia made up 34%. Excluding seaweed, the rest of Asia produced 22% of total aquaculture production (50 billion metric tonnes valued at US$25 billion). The whiteleg shrimp sector alone was worth US$10 billion.

The growth of aquaculture in Southeast Asia has been 5.7% over the last 10 years and has immense potential to continue growing in the future. However, there are also multiple limitations that prevent further growth of the industry.

In an open aquaculture environment, the fish and shrimp are often exposed to pathogens that naturally occur in seawater or spread from neighboring aquaculture systems. When the fish and shrimp become stressed due to various environmental factors that are abiotic and biotic, their immune systems are compromised, thereby leading to pathogens becoming prolific. Disease occurs as a result and the animal can die rapidly or limit the economic performance of the farmer's crop due to low growth. Oftentimes, disease prevention is a key measure to protect the crop and can go hand-in-hand with reactive solutions.

The overarching solution should reduce stress OR strengthen the animal’s resilience through health, nutrition, or genetic means. These solutions should be affordable, compatible and convenient with the farmers’ daily operations.

Challenge Statement 1:

What biotech solutions can prevent or reduce the mortality of shrimp in open farming conditions?

Possible Solutions could focus on

•  Improved gut microbiome of shrimp
•  Balanced microbiota in the seawater
•  Immunity boosting feeds
•  Vaccine-like solution or alternative to antibiotics
•  Disease control or disinfection

Challenge Statement 2:

What technical solutions can prevent or reduce the mortality of shrimp in open farming conditions?

Possible Solutions could focus on

Monitoring: Use of hardware & software to continuously measure the performance and conditions of culture tanks of shrimp

•  Biological parameter monitoring in any aspect of shrimp production. Monitoring solutions for the owners help them understand the importance of adopting preventative or treatment solutions.
•  Easy-to-operate cameras with AI machines to measure, monitor conditions and help make decisions
•  Multi-parameter sensors (for physical and chemical conditions) with self-cleaning unit for sensor head
•  Paired with user guide on next steps to take based on real-time measurements


Preventative/Optimising

•  Triple filtration systems
•  Better feed & feeding systems - module plugged into existing auto-feeders
•  Aeration
•  Instant and effective PL screening machine
•  Efficient water recirculating systems