6 Years of SSP: Milestones, Commitment, and alliances for Sustainable Shrimp Production
An overview of the key players, accomplishments, and collaborative efforts driving the shift towards responsible aquaculture
On its sixth anniversary, SSP highlights the fundamental role of its members as agents of change. They have initiated projects to promote transparency, environmental and social responsibility, while also ensuring that the shrimp they provide meets the highest standards. This means shrimp free from antibiotics, with neutral impact on water quality, and fully traceable throughout the production process.
“SSP owes its success to the dedication of our members. Through their proactive efforts, they’ve shown that achieving clean and sustainable aquaculture is attainable. Additionally, they have collaborated to identify areas for improvement, leading the way towards a more responsible future for the industry,” says SSP Director Pamela Nath.
Among SSP’s founding members are renowned companies like Grupo Almar, Grupo Camaronero Champmar, Corporación Lanec, Omarsa, Promarisco, and Songa. Their commitment to sustainability positions SSP at the forefront of transformation, allowing it to tackle current challenges, anticipate future ones, and inspire others to follow their example.
In addition, other stakeholders have influenced SSP’s development and growth over the years: its associate members. While they may not directly produce shrimp, they play a crucial role in achieving sustainability throughout the shrimp aquaculture value chain. SSP associate members include BASF, BIOMAR, DSM-Firmenich, INVE Aquaculture, Houdek – Prairie Aquatech, MSD Animal Health, Skretting, and Vitapro.
“Our partnerships with our associate members seek to merge expertise, networking, and innovative resources to continue encouraging responsible practices. Thus, bringing diverse perspectives and specialized knowledge that complement our efforts. Their dedication to sustainability not only enhances our network but also fosters collaboration among various industry players. At SSP, we recognize that teamwork is essential to achieving our objectives,” Nath explains.
In the last six years, SSP and its members have reached major milestones that have reshaped the shrimp industry. These accomplishments underscore a comprehensive commitment towards nurturing sustainability and excellence across every phase of the supply chain.
Firstly, the introduction of the SSP qualification criteria has represented a significant advancement. This norm assures the highest social and environmental standards in shrimp production through constant farm audits to ensure the absence of antibiotics, a neutral impact on water, and complete product traceability, using Blockchain technology to guarantee transparency and trust.
The creation of the Sustainability Leadership Roundtable has also been key in this progress. This platform has enabled SSP to engage in various projects with well-known organizations. Among these initiatives, noteworhty collaborations include the conservation and protection of mangroves in Ecuador, in partnership with Clark University and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF); the advocacy for labor equity and living wages in partnership with the Sustainable Trade Initiative (IDH) and the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC); and the Working Group on Aquaculture on Environmental Footprint, also with IDH. Alongside The Nature Conservancy (TNC), efforts have been dedicated to shrimp production with a reduced carbon footprint, and finally, SSP has become a member of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) antimicrobial resistance platform.
Recently, a significant breakthrough has been the launch of the ‘Scale Up’ Program for Shrimp Hatcheries. This program aims to advance the sustainable management of shrimp larval production by recognizing and supporting hatcheries committed to improving product quality and their environmental and social impact. Through this plan, SSP provides a guide focused on establishing specific regulations for sustainable shrimp larval production in Ecuador, ensuring that shrimp adheres to sustainability principles throughout its production chain.
Furthermore, SSP has conducted various consumer awareness activities, such as the Shrimp Summit Ecuador. This event provides retailers and seafood suppliers with the opportunity to learn firsthand about the commitment of Ecuadorian producers to sustainable shrimp production. Partnerships with chefs, nutritionists, and other collaborators have led to the development of nutritional and culinary guides. These guides aim to offer consumers accurate information, empowering them to make informed decisions about the products they choose to consume.
These accomplishments showcase the continuous dedication of SSP’s founding members and associates to enhance and sustainably develop the shrimp industry. Each step taken demonstrates a strong commitment to a more responsible and prosperous future for everyone involved in this vital production chain.
ABOUT SSP
The Sustainable Shrimp Partnership (SSP) is a group of leading companies who are committed to transforming the future of shrimp aquaculture. Pioneered in Ecuador, members of the SSP are committed to achieving, and promoting, the highest quality products, produced to the highest social and environmental standards, through greater collaboration and transparency.
FOUNDING MEMBERS
ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
