By LACQUA26 Organizing Committee
Renowned international shrimp farming expert David Kawahigashi to present innovative intensive production systems.
San Salvador, El Salvador – The Latin American & Caribbean Aquaculture Congress – LACQUA26 is honored to announce the participation of internationally recognized shrimp aquaculture specialist David Kawahigashi as one of its Plenary Speakers.
With more than 40 years of technical and management experience spanning every stage of shrimp aquaculture, David Kawahigashi is the founder and director of Vannamei 101, a Hawaii-based aquaculture consulting and training company dedicated to advancing knowledge transfer and innovative technologies throughout the global aquaculture industry.
His plenary presentation, entitled: “Are Vietnam’s Circular and Multi-Phase Pond Systems the Future of Global Intensive Aquaculture?” will address one of the most relevant topics in modern shrimp farming: the evolution of intensive production systems and the potential of the innovative models developed in Vietnam to meet the industry’s growing challenges of sustainability, productivity, and operational efficiency.
After graduating from the University of Hawaii, Kawahigashi began his professional career in Hawaii (1979–1986). He later led major aquaculture projects throughout Central and South America until 2003 and, since 2004, has played a key role in the rapid expansion of Penaeus vannamei farming across Asia through technical training and technology transfer programs.
His areas of expertise include:
- Design and implementation of intensive and multi-phase shrimp production systems.
- Genetic improvement programs and broodstock management.
- Technical management of shrimp hatcheries.
- Development of sustainable high-intensity grow-out systems using circular ponds.
- Application of biofloc technology and Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS).
- Use of probiotics, symbiotics, and postbiotics to enhance production performance.
- Technical training and capacity building for aquaculture professionals.
Today, his work focuses on developing sustainable shrimp farming models based on biofloc protocols, super-intensive circular pond systems, and water recirculation technologies—approaches widely recognized as some of the industry’s most promising solutions for improving production efficiency while reducing environmental impacts.
His extensive international experience across Latin America, Asia, and the United States makes this plenary session a unique opportunity for producers, researchers, industry leaders, students, and aquaculture professionals interested in learning about the technologies and production strategies shaping the future of global shrimp farming.
LACQUA26 will bring together leading international experts, researchers, companies, and aquaculture stakeholders to exchange knowledge, strengthen partnerships, and showcase the innovations driving the sustainable development of aquaculture in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The Congress will take place October 27–30, 2026, in San Salvador, El Salvador, and is organized by the Latin American & Caribbean Chapter of the World Aquaculture Society (LACC-WAS) in collaboration with the Salvadoran Blue Economy Authority (ASEA), with the support of the Government of El Salvador.
The Organizing Committee invites the international aquaculture community to participate in this premier scientific, technical, and commercial event, recognized as the leading aquaculture conference in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Participants are encouraged to register at:
https://www.was.org/Meeting/Registration/Submit/LACQUA26
LACQUA26 Organizing Committee
Sustainable Aquaculture, a Blue Future for Latin America and the Caribbean
October 27–30, 2026
San Salvador, El Salvador
Contact: carolina@was.org
