The Global Shrimp Forum (GSF), held just a few days ago in Utrecht (Netherlands), provided the framework for the meeting of a group of more than 20 producers who have come together with the intention of creating the Global Shrimp Council. The overall objective of the new agency will be to promote the growth of consumption of shrimp worldwide by providing meaningful information about the sector. The members of the working group decided that a follow-up meeting will be organized before the end of the year with the aim of establishing the body in 2024.
Ecuador, Mexico, India, Vietnam and Indonesia are some of the countries from which the producers united around the project, of which Gabriel Luna, head of Glunashrimp, and David Castro, general manager of Manta Bay, are leaders. They were the ones who contacted the GSF board to propose holding the meeting during the Global Shrimp Council 2023. GSF President Chris Ninnes facilitated the meeting.
After the meeting, Castro commented that “the Global Shrimp Council is an initiative with the intention to harmonize the interests of participants in this significant industry through a systemic vision. One of these interests is to introduce the global consumer to the benefits of consuming the finest sustainably produced protein sources, such as shrimp. Shrimp is a flavorful, healthy and nutritious protein, that is accessible, easy to prepare, has low carbon emissions in production and uses minimal consumption of freshwater. I am greatly look forward to seeing the outcome of our discussions and where this could take the industry.”
Benefits and conditions of being hosted and managed by the NFI
Consensus regarding the need to create the global body was broad among producers, who also agreed that the organization should be producer-driven and that the Council should have a truly global influence, not just in the United States (US).
The meeting participants also received a proposal that the Global Shrimp Council be established within the US National Fisheries Institute (NFI). In this regard, Luna and Castro explained the advantages and conditions of a Global Shrimp Council hosted and managed by the NFI, with examples of how other bodies operate in a similar way.
Next steps
After discussion of the proposal by all participants, the project drivers suggested next steps, including more detailed work to decide on the most effective governance and funding structure for the organization. The need for close collaboration with producers throughout the process was also stressed.
The members of the working group decided that a follow-up meeting will be organized before the end of the year with the aim of establishing the Global Shrimp Council in 2024. The Global Shrimp Forum will continue to organize meetings as needed.
An independent and mission-driven organization
Established by the Aquaculture Stewardship Council, Shrimp Insights and Contango, the Global Shrimp Forum Foundation is an independent, non-profit, mission-driven organization based in Utrecht, the Netherlands. The Global Shrimp Forum is the place where industry leaders come together to discuss the most pressing issues facing their companies and develop a vision on the long-term strategy towards a resilient and sustainable industry.
The first GSF meeting took place during the past year 2022 and convened more than 430 people, representing more than 225 companies and 33 countries, who listened to keynote speeches and participated in the working sessions.
As explained by the organization, as a non-profit foundation, the GSF uses any financial surplus generated by its annual meeting to contribute financially to projects aligned with its mission. These projects will initially focus on mangrove conservation, aquaculture enhancement and pre-competitive research.
Indeed, this year, the GSF board is using the financial surplus to support a mangrove reforestation project in Indonesia and a study to define how global shrimp consumption can be effectively promoted.
