Since 1999, Texcumar has been doing an excellent job in the Genetic Improvement of our nauplii and larvae

Genetics and research have been decisive for Ecuadorian shrimp

ECUADOR
Monday, April 12, 2021, 21:00 (GMT + 9)

Ecuador has made great strides in aquaculture genetics and research. These advances have significantly improved the productivity and profitability of the sector, making possible low-density crops, free of antibiotics and chemicals, and environmentally friendly.
 
Knowing how the species is genetically related, its growth characteristics, resistance and quality (morphological and meat) has been key for the Ecuadorian shrimp to achieve better growth rates and greater resistance to environmental diseases.
 
Dr. João Rocha, Texcumar's director of genetics, says that the work of the last decade has been reflected in the increase in crops, which in a period of seven years have doubled their growth rates, going from about one gram per week in 2013 to almost two per week.
 
Improvements are also seen in productivity pound / hectare / day, which has increased four times in nine years. Growth rates have reduced the time per crop cycle, allowing today to have an additional cycle in the year.
 
Although the results achieved so far are quite encouraging, the country's aquaculture genetics laboratories and centers continue to promote new research.
 
An example of this is Texcumar, which at the end of last year presented its Genomic Selection Program, which is based on a chip of 50,000 SNPs genetic markers that cover the entire genome of the crustacean, making possible the selection of reproducers based on information from their genes and not their performance.

 
The company works with 15 shrimp associates on more than 50,000 hectares. "Our main achievement has been to double the growth rates in 10 years of genetic work, all this while keeping inbreeding at minimum levels compatible with excellent commercial performance," emphasizes Rocha.
 
Texcumar's facilities have the capacity to produce 330 million nauplii per day, with the addition of its new breeding center this year, its capacity will reach 450 million nauplii per day. With regard to larvae, it produces 500 million per month in its Acuatecsa laboratory.

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