SPF shrimp broodstock: Trends, challenges, and genetic innovations

Global shrimp farming has undergone a radical transformation, with production multiplying sixfold from 800,000 to over 5.2 million metric tons between 1998 and 2022. This explosive growth was not coincidental but the direct result of the introduction and widespread adoption of Specific Pathogen-Free (SPF) Pacific white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) broodstock. This technology, which combines rigorous biosecurity with selective breeding, has enabled the industry to combat diseases, improve profitability, and enhance sustainability.

An article by Jim Wyban of Marine Genetics LLC, published in Critical Insights in Aquaculture, analyzes the current state of the SPF broodstock industry, its challenges, and the genetic innovations—such as genomic selection and gene editing—that promise to elevate shrimp resilience and productivity to a new level.

What Are SPF Broodstock and Why Did They Transform Shrimp Farming?

An SPF broodstock is a shrimp from a multigenerational population raised in biosecure facilities and certified free of a specific list of pathogens, verified through strict screening protocols. Before SPF technology, the traditional Asian shrimp industry relied on wild-caught giant tiger prawn (P. monodon), which was neither domesticated nor certified disease-free, leading to unpredictable and often unprofitable production.

SPF technology originated in Hawaii in the early 1990s from a research initiative aimed at solving the U.S. industry’s primary obstacle: disease. The first SPF shrimp, born in Kona, Hawaii, in 1991, demonstrated superior performance in growth, survival, and feed conversion ratio (FCR) in commercial trials. Their success was so profound that their adoption across Asia transformed global shrimp farming, drastically reducing devastating disease outbreaks like White Spot Syndrome (WSS) and Early Mortality Syndrome (EMS).

The global SPF broodstock market: A current overview

Currently, Asia is the largest market for SPF broodstock, with China, Indonesia, Vietnam, and India leading due to their massive farming industries. China, for example, has an estimated annual demand for 1.5 million broodstock.

However, not the entire industry follows this model. Ecuador, the world’s top shrimp exporter, employs an alternative strategy known as “All Pathogen Exposed” (APE), where mass selection of pathogen-challenged animals is performed under pond conditions, recently incorporating molecular techniques to reduce inbreeding.

A serious problem facing the industry is genetic piracy. Some local companies raise SPF postlarvae (PL) to adult size and sell them as certified first-generation broodstock without incurring the high costs of genetic nucleus centers (GNCs) or maintaining proper biosecurity. This dishonest practice jeopardizes the stability of the entire industry.

The role of Hawaii and the rise of Broodstock Multiplication Centers (BMCs)

Hawaii, the birthplace of SPF technology, established itself as the “shrimp breeding capital of the world,” exporting over 7 million SPF broodstock since 1999. Its isolated location, pristine seawater, and health certification programs make it an ideal location for genetic development. However, in 2023 and 2024, Hawaiian exports have declined, likely due to growing competition and low global shrimp prices.

A key trend addressing these challenges is the development of Broodstock Multiplication Centers (BMCs). These are facilities located in producer countries, operated by major genetics companies, that import parent postlarvae (PPL) from GNCs to raise and sell broodstock locally. The goal is to reduce the high costs and stress of international transport. Successful examples include the Kona Bay (Hendrix Genetics) facility in Indonesia and Moana Technologies’ BMC in Vietnam for SPF P. monodon production.

Key challenges for the shrimp broodstock industry

Market consolidation and genetic diversity

The SPF broodstock industry has become concentrated among a few multinational corporations. While this consolidation can standardize quality, it also creates risks such as reduced competition, price volatility, and dependence on a limited number of genetic lines.

Maintaining genetic diversity is crucial to prevent inbreeding depression and ensure long-term resilience against new pathogens or climate stressors. Although a recent global study found that genetic diversity in farmed populations has not significantly decreased compared to wild ones (thanks, in part, to the reintroduction of genetic material), the risk of creating genetic bottlenecks remains a constant concern.

Low shrimp prices and their Impact on demand

The shrimp industry is in a mature state, affected by historically low post-COVID prices due to oversupply. This pressures farmers to cut costs, leading them to purchase cheaper postlarvae of dubious origin (from “genetic pirates”). While this decision saves money in the short term, it increases the risk of disease and turns shrimp farming into a gamble, similar to the pre-SPF era.

The alternative is a coordinated investment in marketing to boost global shrimp demand. An increase in consumption could double production to 10 million metric tons annually, incentivizing investment in technology and genetically superior shrimp.

Innovations defining the future of shrimp

Ablation-free rearing: A shift towards animal welfare

Traditionally, sexual maturation in female shrimp is induced by eyestalk ablation, an invasive procedure that raises animal welfare concerns. In response to market pressure, especially from Europe, the industry is shifting towards ablation-free rearing methods. Although these methods may initially have lower productivity, they are believed to promote better overall health and higher-quality offspring, aligning with consumer demand for ethical products. Genetic improvement for reproductive traits in ablation-free systems will be key to their success.

Genomic Selection (GS): Accelerating genetic improvement

Genomic selection is a technology that uses genome-wide markers (like SNPs) to predict an animal’s genetic potential with much higher accuracy than traditional methods. This allows for the selection of individuals with high disease resistance or rapid growth at an early age, accelerating genetic progress with each generation. Although its implementation is costly and complex, advances in genomics and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze large datasets are making GS an increasingly powerful tool.

Gene editing (CRISPR): Towards disease-resistant shrimp

Gene-editing tools like CRISPR-Cas9 allow for the modification of specific genes with unprecedented precision. Instead of merely selecting, scientists can “knock out” or disable genes that make shrimp susceptible to certain pathogens. This technology, already used successfully in plants to resist fungi and in pigs to make them immune to the costly PRRS virus, promises to create shrimp with enhanced natural defenses. This would not only reduce losses but also decrease reliance on chemicals and antibiotics, improving sustainability and animal welfare.

The importance of SPF feeds

An often-overlooked link in the biosecurity chain is broodstock nutrition. The use of wild marine worms, while stimulating reproduction, is a major pathway for pathogen entry. Therefore, the development and use of SPF feeds, such as polychaetes cultured in biosecure facilities, is essential to protect the health and genetic investment of SPF broodstock.

Conclusion: Two possible futures for shrimp farming

The shrimp industry stands at a crossroads with two possible paths forward. One path is to continue with the traditional, fragmented model focused on short-term profitability, where production resembles a “game of chance.” The other is a modern, integrated future driven by technology, sustainability, robust marketing programs, and, at its core, the continuous genetic improvement of SPF stocks.

The success of SPF technology is undeniable, but current challenges like low prices and genetic piracy demand an evolution. Continued investment in research, biosecurity, and cutting-edge genetic technologies will not only be essential to overcome these obstacles but will also define the leaders of tomorrow’s aquaculture industry.

Contact
Jim Wyban
Marine Genetics LLC
Hilo, HI, USA
Email: jim.wyban@gmail.com

Reference (open access)
Wyban, J. (2025). Current trends, challenges, and genetic innovations in the SPF shrimp broodstock industry. Critical Insights in Aquaculture, 1(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/29932181.2025.2508544

Milthon Lujan

Editor at the digital magazine AquaHoy. He holds a degree in Aquaculture Biology from the National University of Santa (UNS) and a Master’s degree in Science and Innovation Management from the Polytechnic University of Valencia, with postgraduate diplomas in Business Innovation and Innovation Management. He possesses extensive experience in the aquaculture and fisheries sector, having led the Fisheries Innovation Unit of the National Program for Innovation in Fisheries and Aquaculture (PNIPA). He has served as a senior consultant in technology watch, an innovation project formulator and advisor, and a lecturer at UNS. He is a member of the Peruvian College of Biologists and was recognized by the World Aquaculture Society (WAS) in 2016 for his contribution to aquaculture.