PORTSMOUTH, New Hampshire, USA – The Center for Responsible Seafood (TCRS), a non-profit organization whose mission is centered on research, education, and collaboration to support responsible and regenerative seafood production, will host the Shrimp Summit, July 24-26, 2023 at the New World Saigon Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
“Asia constitutes two thirds of global shrimp production, but growth in Vietnam, China, India, Thailand, and Indonesia is leveling off or contracting. On the other hand, Ecuador is projected to represent the majority of the world’s 7 percent growth in shrimp production in 2023,” said Dr. George Chamberlain, president of TCRS and co-founder and former president of the Global Seafood Alliance.
“The goal of the Shrimp Summit is to reverse the declining growth trend across Asia by bringing together key leaders from production, market, and conservation communities in focused breakout sessions to discuss constraints, innovations, and practical solutions,” Dr. Chamberlain elaborated.
Summit topics will include global production forecasts, market expectations, shrimp health, breeding, intensification, improver programs for small-holder farmers, sustainable feeds, opportunities to expand markets, and green/sustainable financing. Discussions and webinars will begin on the TCRS Online Community well in advance of the Shrimp Summit to begin exchanging ideas and sharing expertise. These discussions will continue long after the event to assure an enduring impact. By sharing expertise, developing a common understanding of issues, and working toward consensus solutions, new paradigms are expected to emerge through productivity, improved livelihoods, and achievement of a higher level of sustainability, especially regarding climate change.
Vietnam was selected as the location for the 2023 Responsible Shrimp Summit because of its robust seafood economy – the country’s seafood exports exceeded USD $10 billion last year – and its central location to the rest of Southeast Asia and South Asia. The Directorate of Fisheries of Vietnam will co-host the event, and the U.S. Soybean Export Council has signed on as the first sponsor. A special highlight of this event will be the opportunity to participate in optional field trips to shrimp production facilities in Vietnam, including Minh Phu’s super-intensive round tank farm and organic farms raising shrimp in harmony with mangrove forests.
Attendees will represent the entire seafood value chain – including farmers, processors, exporters and importers, feed manufacturers, wholesalers, retail and foodservice buyers, technology and other service providers, NGOs, and government officials. Some of the world’s leading retail and foodservice shrimp buyers will participate in the conference; these buyers play a key role in influencing shrimp production practices through corporate social responsibility policies and associated sourcing specifications.
Registration for the 2023 Responsible Shrimp Summit will open in March 2023 at responsibleseafood.org. Packages will offer in-person and virtual access; all packages will include access to the TCRS Online Community, access to pre-summit webinars, and post-Summit on-demand recordings of sessions. In-person packages will include the option to join field trips to shrimp production facilities before and after the Summit.
Organizations interested in sponsoring the 2023 Shrimp Summit should contact Carolyn Gibbons, cgibbons@responsibleseafood.org. Small-scale shrimp farmers are invited to apply for one of ten scholarships available to cover the cost of registration (application available in March 2023).
Proceeds from the 2023 Responsible Shrimp Summit will benefit the work of TCRS, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
ABOUT TCRS
The Center for Responsible Seafood (TCRS), formerly known as the Responsible Aquaculture Foundation, envisions a world meeting the critical need for seafood through regenerative processes and responsible seafood production. TCRS, a nonprofit organization, has developed a track record on transformative projects through knowledge sharing, applied research, field demonstrations, trainings and collaboration with industry, governments, NGOs, academia, development banks, and foundations. TCRS strives to go beyond “sustainability,” which implies maintaining current conditions for future generations, to “regenerative production,” which seeks to restore environmental and social systems to levels that are better than the current condition. An example is assisting thousands of traditional small-holder black tiger shrimp farmers in Bangladesh, Vietnam, Indonesia, India, and other SE Asian countries to produce distinctive large sizes with a low carbon footprint, premium quality, and strong social benefits. In 2021, TCRS launched an online global community, e-learning program and continuing professional development courses and certifications to address the needs of the growing and rapidly evolving seafood sector. For more information and to join the TCRS Online Community, visit www.responsibleseafood.org.
