© National Chamber of Aquaculture
SustainED - a new programme recently launched by the Sustainable Shrimp Partnership and Ecuador’s National Chamber of Aquaculture (CNA) - aims to support the sustainable development of the Ecuadorian shrimp farming industry.
Through various workshops, training sessions, social media campaigns, and field activities, the programme seeks to transform the industry using the sustainability principles applied to aquaculture whilst addressing the challenges and risks related to its implementation.
“Education is key to raising awareness and fostering better practices within the industry. SustainED aims to transform producers into more environmentally conscious and responsible actors, while educating consumers on the benefits of the product they are purchasing,” said Pamela Nath, director of the Sustainable Shrimp Partnership, in a press release.
The programme’s first training session, which focussed on the uses of metabisulfite within the shrimp farming industry, was held at Guayaquil’s Hilton Colón Hotel and attracted an impressive attendance of over 120 sector professionals. The session took a deep dive into the market regulations of metabisulfite, its use within the industry to prevent melanosis, and analysis and measurement technologies.
The workshop also featured insights from experts such as Christian Jiménez Figueroa, business consultant for session organiser BASF, who emphasised the importance of product quality: “It is crucial for stakeholders to demand quality from their suppliers or seek out those with certifications that ensure this quality. SustainED keeps us updated on product methods and applications, helping to drive aquaculture development.”
Whilst the implementation of the programme has just begun, the Sustainable Shrimp Partnership and the National Chamber of Aquaculture aim to establish the programme as a lifelong learning initiative that will strengthen the capabilities of the shrimp sector, ensuring sustainable development, and aligning them with global demands.
“The concept of sustainability is constantly evolving. Ecuador’s shrimp industry has always adapted rapidly to change, so it was essential to create a dynamic platform that could match this responsiveness. With SustainED, SSP and the CNA have established a a lifelong learning model that connects the industry with experts from various fields, allowing us to understand issues, define them, and find solutions together, or learn from those already being implemented,” said José Antonio Camposano, executive president of the CAN.
