Wednesday, October 22

Innovation takes center stage at AQUAEXPO 2025

On the second day of AQUAEXPO International 2025, innovation is consolidated as one of the pillars of the most important technical-commercial meeting in regional aquaculture. Participating companies present solutions focused on production efficiency, environmental sustainability, and process digitization throughout the entire value chain.

Technologies applied to real-time monitoring, automated feeding systems, advances in genetics and animal nutrition, and developments in biosecurity set the agenda for this edition. State-of-the-art equipment, artificial intelligence platforms, and digital traceability tools demonstrate the sector’s commitment to incorporating innovation as a driver of competitiveness.

At the trade fair, visitors can explore more than 8,000 m² of exhibition space where more than 200 companies showcase their latest developments.

Smart air-cooled aerators

Among the innovations presented is a system of mechanical and electric aerators designed for saline environments. Its air-cooled motor replaces the traditional radiator, extending the equipment’s useful life and reducing maintenance. With sensors and artificial intelligence, the system automatically regulates its operation according to oxygen levels, optimizing energy consumption and ensuring stable conditions during cultivation.

Automated processing line for sorting and pre-cooking

A processing line was also presented that integrates a shrimp sorting machine by size and a pre-cooking module. This system streamlines the selection and freezing stages, maintaining product quality. Its automation allows cooking and presentation parameters to be adjusted according to the requirements of each market, promoting efficiency and industrial standardization.

Automated feeding technology improves farming efficiency

During AQUAEXPO International 2025, an automated feeding system designed to optimize feed distribution in shrimp ponds was presented. The equipment features a reinforced protection mechanism on the shaft and dispenser, reducing the risk of damage and extending its durability. Its modular design facilitates assembly and maintenance, while the wide range of reach allows for even distribution of feed in different areas of the pond. This innovation contributes to improving feeding efficiency, reducing waste, and maintaining more balanced conditions for crop development.

Relevant topics at the AQUAEXPO 2025 technical congress

Conferences on critical topics such as animal health, nutritional strategies, product quality and safety, efficiency in production processes, adoption of emerging technologies, and future prospects for the shrimp market continue to be held in two simultaneous rooms.

Below are some of the highlights of the day:

MITIGATION AND NEUTRALIZATION OF THE THREAT OF VIBRIO ENDOTOXINS

Speaker: Benedict Standen, Ph.D (Austria)

Endotoxins are toxic components of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, composed mainly of lipopolysaccharides (LPS). These can significantly affect shrimp health, often causing stress, immunosuppression, and increased susceptibility to disease. However, studies have shown that certain binding agents are capable of binding to endotoxins from other monogastric pathogens (e.g., E. coli). Biochemical characterization showed that Vibrio parahaemolyticus (a key pathogen in shrimp) has a rough LPS, and a series of experiments the use of a commercial bentonite was evaluated for its ability to bind to more than 90% of the LPS and pirA toxin of this Vibrio, which could provide additional value in mitigating and neutralizing it when incorporated into health management protocols.

FIVE YEARS OF GENOMIC SELECTION IN ECUADOR: WHAT NEXT?

Speaker: Oscar Hennig, MSc. (USA)

Genomic selection is a modern genetic improvement tool that uses complete DNA information from organisms (e.g., fish, shrimp, or mollusks) to predict their productive or reproductive potential with high accuracy, without having to wait for them to mature or reproduce. In Ecuador, this process began in 2020, ahead of most countries; however, another technology is on the horizon that will fundamentally change genetic improvement: Genome Editing. This conference offers a review of the last five years of genomic selection in Ecuador, as well as recent successes in the creation of genomic edits in white shrimp P. vannamei.

THIS AFTERNOON:

RACE TO THE TOP, GLOBAL COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABILITY

Race to the Top brought together more than 30 international leaders in Ecuador who are committed to strengthening responsible, innovative aquaculture that is resilient to climate change. This high-level forum, held on October 21 as part of AQUAEXPO International, established itself as a space for dialogue and cooperation between experts, producers, and representatives from different industries seeking to transform food systems toward a more sustainable model.

Under the slogan “Transform, Inspire, Lead,” the meeting promoted the exchange of experiences between the main aquaculture proteins—shrimp and salmon—along with other sectors that shared their best practices in sustainability, governance, and economic development. Through panels, conferences, and case studies, key topics such as technological innovation, social responsibility, and environmental management were addressed, highlighting the role of science and cross-sector collaboration in building sustainable solutions.

In its second edition, Race to the Top reaffirmed that sustainability is more than a technical requirement: it is a form of leadership based on vision, ethics, and collective action. From Ecuador, the forum sent a clear message to the world: producing food responsibly is possible when cooperation and innovation become the drivers of change.