Towards a carbon neutral shrimp industry

Charting the course

At xpertSea, we are fueled by our unwavering belief in the immense potential of shrimp as a key sustainable protein solution to address current and future food security challenges. Being cold-blooded creatures, shrimp possess a remarkable ability to conserve energy by not requiring the regulation of their internal body temperature. This characteristic leads to reduced calorie needs for their growth in comparison to warm-blooded species. For instance, in theory, shrimp can convert as little as 1.2 kilograms of feed into 1 kilogram of body mass, while beef requires around 10 kilograms of feed to produce the same 1 kilogram of mass. Such a stark difference in feed conversion efficiency illustrates the tremendous advantage of shrimp as a promising candidate for a sustainable protein option.

However, achieving true sustainability in shrimp farming requires us to address the concerns surrounding the carbon footprint associated with mainstream practices. Carbon emissions in shrimp farming can vary significantly, with reported figures ranging from as low as 2 kgCO2/kg of shrimp to as high as 30 kgCO2/kg. To put this in perspective, this bar graph1 shows the average carbon footprint of farming the main livestock species.

The wide range of production methods and the lack of a consensus on how to accurately calculate the carbon footprint make mitigation efforts more challenging. Thankfully, organizations like WWF, IDH, and The Nature Conservancy have taken the lead in developing methodology to measure the impact of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in shrimp production and promoting solutions for its mitigation.

As of today, shrimp farms that achieve the lower end of the carbon emission range are mainly small-scale operations offering niche products. At XpertSea, our goal is to combine technological innovation with sustainable approaches to create globally scalable solutions that will transition the majority of the industry to a low carbon emission category. To effectively work towards our goal, it is crucial to understand the main sources impacting emissions in shrimp farming operations.

Source: Poore, J., & Nemecek, T. (2018). Reducing food’s environmental impacts through producers and consumers. Science, 360(6392), 987–992.

• Energy use: Significant energy inputs are required for aeration and water pumping in shrimp farming operations. The use of fossil fuels to power machinery and equipment leads to greenhouse gas emissions, primarily in the form of carbon dioxide (CO2).

• Feed use: The production of shrimp feed, which often includes ingredients like fishmeal and soybean meal, can result in high carbon emissions due to the energy-intensive processes involved in cultivation, harvesting, and transportation of these feed ingredients.

• Land use change (LUC): The conversion of natural habitats, such as mangroves or wetlands, into shrimp farms can lead to the release of stored carbon in the form of CO2. Mangrove destruction, in particular, can have significant carbon emissions, as mangroves are highly effective carbon sinks.

• Direct emissions: Methane and nitrous oxide emissions are significant contributors to overall greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from shrimp ponds. These emissions primarily arise from the decomposition of feces and uneaten feed. The extent of these emissions can be influenced by water management and chemical use practices.

Figure 1 below delves into a credible scenario of an intensive shrimp farm generating 10 kgCO2 per kg of shrimp it produces.

Figure 1. Potential carbon emission of an intensive shrimp farm with a yield of 8MT/ha/year, 1.4 FCR, 65% survival, diesel powered pumps and aerators and no mangrove deforestation since 1999. This is a fictional scenario using data extracted from ‘’Measuring and Mitigating GHG’s: Shrimp, a WWF publication’’.

10 kgCO2 per kg of edible meat produced is comparable to emissions seen in other livestock farming practices. So, how can we tap into the full potential of shrimp production and achieve a near-zero carbon footprint for these delicious crustaceans?

Renewable energy, sustainable innovative feed (algae, insect, bacteria…), and mangrove reforestation are undoubtedly key players in mitigating carbon emissions at shrimp farms. However, these remarkable initiatives can only yield their full potential if the farm can efficiently grow shrimp. Low Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR), high survival rates, and preventing mass mortality events are critical factors in achieving a carbon footprint as low as 0-2 kgCO2/kg of shrimp produced.

The encouraging news is that advancements in farm management technology, such as smart feeders, AI-powered growth management software, and disease prevention remote sensing solutions, offer a golden opportunity to enhance productivity on shrimp farms. By leveraging these cutting-edge technologies, we can envision a near net-zero shrimp farm that exemplifies sustainability and environmental responsibility. Here is what a low carbon emission shrimp farm could look like:

Figure 2. Potential carbon emission of an intensive shrimp farm with a yield of 10MT/ha/year, 1.2 FCR, 80% survival, renewable energy powered pumps and aerators and active mangrove reforestation. This is a fictional scenario using data extracted from ‘’Measuring and Mitigationg GHG’s: Shrimp, a WWF publication’’.

When can we expect to see near-zero carbon emission shrimp from these innovative dream farms on our plates? Hopefully, the wait will be brief. As mentioned earlier, numerous groups are now prioritizing the reduction of carbon emissions in shrimp farms. One such effort is being undertaken by XpertSea, which has joined forces with Conservation International to introduce the groundbreaking initiative called 'Climate Smart Shrimp.' This visionary program aims to finance carbon-saving operational improvements and direct revenue to mangrove reforestation through the sale of shrimp from enrolled farms.

As advancements in technology aimed at reducing carbon emissions continue to steadily become more accessible, the barriers hindering carbon reduction in shrimp farming are rapidly diminishing. Yet, a critical question remains: to what extent will the rest of the supply chain embrace these new possibilities? Today, most will agree that companies must commit to both measuring and reducing carbon emissions within their shrimp supply chain. However, there remains the question of how their role should extend beyond mere accountability to encompass providing support through strategic investments in the upgrades necessary for achieving a carbon-neutral future. This issue should be discussed more proactively among industry leaders.