HATCH publishes comprehensive data set on shrimp aquaculture technology

HATCH, an aquaculture technology investment firm has completed one of the most comprehensive data sets on shrimp farming technology to date and is now making it available to the public

Among all species farmed in aquaculture in 2017, farmed whiteleg shrimp made up the highest production value worth 26.7 Billion USD, 10 Billion USD more than the farm value of Atlantic Salmon (FAO, June 2019). Farmed across 36 countries, many shrimp farmers face a variety of production challenges. While they are innovative in solving their own problems, many remain unsolved.
 

Image credit: HATCH

To fast track production efficiency, productivity and sustainability, Hatch's mission is to help farmers overcome these challenges through the support of innovative entrepreneurs.

'We understand there are a vast variety of farming methods and challenges; entrepreneurs often lack the access to remote operations during solution development. To better produce compatible solutions, this year we bridge the knowledge gap for entrepreneurs', commented HATCH.

In January 2019 Dylan Howell, Georg Baunach and Moritz Mueller from the HATCH team initiated a major study to assess and compare technology and innovation opportunities on shrimp grow-out farms in the top six producing countries. They interviewed 81 shrimp farmers over 10 on-farm technology areas with the objective to determine where and how entrepreneurs can focus their energy during development.

The ten technology areas covered were infrastructure , operational management and communication, power supply and control, water logistics, aeration, feed management and administration, water quality and health monitoring, growth monitoring, harvesting techniques, and biosecurity measures.

By comparing how these technologies differ between the six regions, this study offers valuable insight and potentially leads to the development of better products, services, and business models for entrepreneurs. The information presented should present significant valuable to investors and farmers in all regions across the world.

HATCH expressed their gratitude towards the Walton Family Foundation for their support, without which this project would not have been possible, as well as all farmers and individuals who participated in this survey and its preparation.

View the HATCH Global Shrimp Report, HERE.

The Aquaculturists

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