“Shrimp Doctor” and the journey toward a sustainable aquaculture industry

VFM: Aquaculture farmers see you more as a close friend with a warm and humble demeanor rather than a traditional PhD. What do you think makes you different?

Dr. Tran Huu Loc: I believe my way of thinking and living sets me apart. I prefer to keep things simple and not be bound by formal titles or appearances. Carrying a title only adds pressure and constraints. I choose to live simply, just like the farmers around me. In aquaculture, people connect easily through shared passion, so why create distance because of a title?

I’ve learned a lot from farmers, especially their optimism and resilience. In this industry, challenges are inevitable, but they also serve as motivation to keep pushing forward. When you have “debts” to pay, whether personal or professional, you find yourself energized to tackle them. For me, every day presents a new problem to solve, and maintaining a positive mindset is crucial to finding the right path forward.

Aquaculture is both fascinating and challenging. I’ve witnessed the industry’s ups and downs over the decades, but what keeps me hopeful is the creativity and perseverance of the farmers. They always find ways to adapt and overcome difficulties. That resilience inspires me to continue my journey.

VFM: Looking back on your career in aquaculture, is there an achievement that makes you particularly proud?

Dr. Tran Huu Loc: Honestly, I don’t see myself as someone with personal achievements worth boasting about. What I take the most pride in is building a strong team and turning ShrimpVet into an internationally recognized research center.

Today, many global companies rely on ShrimpVet for product quality assessments, ingredient evaluations, and disease prevention solutions for aquaculture. The center has become a hub for innovation and progress in the global aquaculture industry.

What I value most isn’t personal recognition but the fact that we’ve built a team of over 100 members from different countries. These talented individuals have contributed immensely to our success. That, to me, is the greatest achievement.

VFM: You identified the cause of EMS disease in shrimp and developed effective solutions—an incredible breakthrough for Vietnam’s aquaculture industry. How did it feel to achieve this milestone, and what motivated you to pursue the research so persistently?

Dr. Tran Huu Loc: EMS disease has caused billions of dollars in losses worldwide. Honestly, I never saw myself as particularly gifted. I was simply fortunate to learn from outstanding professors and collaborate with dedicated colleagues in Vietnam. More importantly, I had the opportunity to work closely with farmers, which helped us gradually uncover the disease’s cause and develop prevention strategies.

This journey began over a decade ago when I spent three years just identifying a single pathogen. Three years is an incredibly long and costly process. But this challenging experience drove me and my colleagues to establish ShrimpVet, a center equipped with the necessary talent, facilities, and financial resources. Our goal is to quickly identify the cause of emerging diseases and provide timely solutions so farmers no longer suffer devastating losses.

We actively collaborate with regulatory agencies like the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Department of Animal Health, and the Fisheries Directorate to provide timely information and issue early warnings. This allows authorities to make accurate assessments and develop appropriate policies to support farmers. For example, last year, we quickly identified and warned about TPD disease, helping the industry take proactive measures. In 2015, ShrimpVet researched and provided crucial insights into EHP disease. All of these efforts are aimed at minimizing risks, effectively managing diseases, and ensuring the sustainable development of Vietnam’s aquaculture industry.

VFM: In your opinion, what is the biggest challenge facing Vietnam’s shrimp sector, and how does it impact the overall growth of the aquaculture industry?

Dr. Tran Huu Loc: This is a complex question because there are many challenges in Vietnam’s shrimp industry. However, instead of listing them all, I believe we should focus on the most critical issues and find solutions.

Right now, the biggest challenge is the lack of competitiveness. In the past, when supply didn’t exceed demand, shrimp prices were high, and almost every farmer worldwide could profit. But the situation has changed due to two main reasons:

First, many countries have successfully reduced shrimp production costs, increasing competitive pressure.
Second, global economic growth has slowed in recent years due to the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical conflicts, leading to weaker consumer demand and shrinking profit margins.

This has hit Vietnam particularly hard because our shrimp sector is still highly fragmented and vulnerable to market fluctuations. To address this, we must develop more efficient business models, reduce production costs, and enhance competitiveness. These are the key factors for Vietnam’s shrimp industry to achieve sustainable growth.

VFM: Over the years, Vietnam’s seafood exports, especially shrimp, have faced repeated warnings about antibiotic and chemical residues, causing serious consequences. What is your perspective on this issue?

Dr. Tran Huu Loc: In reality, all agricultural industries including pig, poultry, and cattle farming, have faced similar issues during their development. If we look at the history of livestock farming in the U.S., they also started with small-scale pig and chicken farming, much like Vietnam. But over time, they shifted to large-scale, professional production. Thanks to economies of scale, they can now produce meat at a lower cost than Vietnam.

Vietnam’s shrimp industry has followed a similar development path. In the 1980s and 1990s, shrimp farming was extensive, relying on natural conditions. Back then, small-scale farms were still profitable. But today, we are competing with countries like Ecuador, where some companies produce tens or even hundreds of thousands of tons of shrimp annually. Their competitive advantage comes from large-scale production.

Regarding antibiotic and chemical residues, this is not a problem unique to Vietnam. Countries like India, Thailand, China, and Malaysia have faced similar challenges. Instead of just criticizing the issue, we need to acknowledge it and work on solutions.

The root cause lies in the fragmented nature of our production, a complex supply chain for inputs, and a lack of transparency. Many small farmers lack knowledge about proper chemical use and dosages, increasing risks. To overcome this, we need to shift toward more consolidated, medium- and large-scale production models. This will make it easier to control input quality, ensure traceability, and reduce costs.

Another crucial aspect is how Vietnamese shrimp farmers approach the market. Most aim to grow shrimp to large sizes, believing this is the most profitable strategy. However, market demand doesn’t align with this. In reality, smaller shrimp sizes, which are ideal for processing, offer faster turnover and higher profit margins.

VFM