Kentucky State University Shrimp Farming Symposium:
Revolutionizing an Industry
April 10-11, 2026
This biennial international symposium hosted by Kentucky State University brought together aquaculture experts and businesses from around the country and the world. Presentation topics included an Overview of U.S. and World Shrimp Trends, Aeration and Filtration Engineering, Automation Robotics and A.I., Biofloc and Clear-Water Technology, Nitrate and Waste Remediation, Shrimp Aquaponics, Dynamic Marketing Strategies, Examples of Shrimp Farms, Genetic and Nutrition Advancements, Policy and Funding, as well as tours of KSU Aquaculture Facilities. These presentations shared below represent state-of-the-art marine shrimp production.
1. Welcome to the 2026 KSU Shrimp Farming Symposium
Presenter: Andrew Ray, Chair and Associate Professor, School of Aquaculture and Aquatic Science, Kentucky State University
Welcome to the opening presentation of the 2026 Shrimp Farming Symposium, featuring Dr. Andrew Ray. In this introductory session, Dr. Ray sets the stage for the symposium, highlighting the latest advancements, research, and sustainable practices shaping the future of global shrimp aquaculture. Bringing together industry experts, researchers, and producers from across the country and around the globe, this presentation serves as a foundational guide to the key topics, innovations, and discussions detailed throughout this year's event at Kentucky State University.
2. Trends in Shrimp Aquaculture: A Global Perspective
Presenter: George Chamberlain, The Center for Responsible Seafood
Dr. George Chamberlain, President of The Center for Responsible Seafood, delivers an overview of global shrimp aquaculture. This presentation examines current production trends across major global regions, analyzes the market realities and production bottlenecks impacting the industry, and discusses strategic pathways for building a more robust and sustainable shrimp farming sector in the United States.
3. Concepts of an Inland Shrimp Hatchery: Homegrown Shrimp as an Example
Presenter: Robins McIntosh, CEO Homegrown Shrimp, Indiantown, Florida
Industry expert Robins McIntosh shares essential insights on building and managing a commercial inland shrimp hatchery in the United States. Drawing from years of global operational experience, McIntosh breaks down the critical technical challenges, infrastructure needs, and invaluable lessons learned from establishing biosecure, low-salinity hatchery systems far from the coast.
4. Building & Operating Mid-sized Hatcheries in USA
Presenter: Paul Damhof, Minnesota Shrimp and Jim Collins, Infini-SEA
Paul Damhof (Minnesota Shrimp) and Jim Collins (Infini-SEA) share real-world insights into building, scaling and managing mid-sized indoor shrimp hatcheries in the United States. From transitioning a Minnesota dairy farm into a high-tech indoor recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) to pioneering closed-loop genetics and qPCR diagnostic labs in Florida. This presentation covers daily operational routines of running a shrimp hatchery, algae culture, larval rearing, feed management, selective breeding, wild-stock genetics, and custom SNP panels managing economics, biosecurity, and water quality in closed-loop systems.
5. Perspectives on Genetics and Biofloc Systems for High Value Shrimp Production
Presenter: Craig Browdy, Chief Technical Officer, SyAqua Group
Dr. Craig Browdy explores the critical relationship between shrimp genetics and performance within biofloc production systems. This presentation examines how genetic selection can optimize growth, survival, and disease resistance specifically for the unique microbial environments of biofloc. Dr. Browdy shares insights on maximizing system efficiency, managing water quality parameters, and leveraging advanced breeding lines to push the boundaries of intensive, inland shrimp aquaculture.
6. Kentucky Saltwater Shrimp Operation
Presenter: Andre Faul, Faul Family Riverside Farm, Henry County Kentucky
In this session Andre Faul shares firsthand expertise managing a mid-sized shrimp farm in Kentucky. This presentation addresses the unique logistical, environmental, and operational dynamics of operating an inland seafood business in the Bluegrass State. Faul discusses seasonal management strategies, water quality maintenance, regional marketing, and the day-to-day realities of building a successful, sustainable commercial aquaculture venture away from the coast.
7. Challenges of Indoor, Marine Shrimp Farming in Ann Arbor Michigan
Presenter: Khalid Al-Naif, Black Iris Farms, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Khalid Al-Naif provides an in-depth look at operating a commercial-scale, sustainable marine shrimp farm in a cold climate (Michigan). This presentation addresses the unique engineering, thermal management, and economic challenges of maintaining tropical shrimp species in freezing regional temperatures. Al-Naif shares critical insights into facility insulation, energy-efficient water heating, biosecurity, and the advanced environmental controls required to make year-round, cold-climate inland aquaculture sustainable and profitable.
8. Oceanloop RAS-Tech Engineering
Presenter: Bert Wecker, CTO, Oceanloop, Munich, Germany
Bert Wecker explores the cutting edge of engineering with a focus on technological innovations in Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS). This presentation details advanced filtration methods, automation, and real-time monitoring tools designed to optimize water quality and biosecurity in intensive shrimp farming. Wecker shares invaluable insights on overcoming common engineering bottlenecks, reducing operational energy costs, and scaling RAS technology to maximize efficiency and sustainability for modern inland operations.
9. Effects of Stocking Density on Pacific White Shrimp Production in Clearwater Intensive RAS
Presenters: Brandon Wright and Andrew J. Ray, Kentucky State University
Brandon Wright, a graduate student at the Kentucky State University School of Aquaculture and Aquatic Science, presents findings on clear water Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS). This presentation highlights academic research being conducted at KSU, focusing on system performance, water chemistry parameters, and shrimp growth dynamics within clear water frameworks. Wright shares key data and practical takeaways aimed at optimizing management strategies and pushing the boundaries of sustainable indoor shrimp production
10. Global Risks to Shrimp Health and the SPF Program – Certifying an Industry
Presenter: Arun K Dhar, School of Biomedical Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Pathologist Dr. Arun Dhar addresses the current landscape of global shrimp health and the vital role of the Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) program. This presentation explores how robust biosecurity frameworks, disease surveillance, and international diagnostic standards work together to certify the aquaculture industry. Dr. Dhar shares vital insights on mitigating disease risks, implementing effective quarantine protocols, and how achieving SPF certification adds market value and stability to commercial shrimp operations worldwide.
11. Shrimp Nutrition and Feeding: Feed Ingredient Landscape and Research at KSU
Presenter: Waldemar Rossi, Kentucky State University
Dr. Waldemar Rossi, Associate Professor at the Kentucky State University School of Aquaculture and Aquatic Science, delivers an in-depth analysis of shrimp nutrition and the rapidly evolving global feed ingredient landscape. This presentation highlights cutting-edge research being conducted at KSU aimed at optimizing feed formulations, improving feed conversion ratios and evaluating alternative, sustainable ingredients. Dr. Rossi shares practical insights on balancing nutritional requirements with cost-efficiency, helping producers enhance shrimp growth, health, and overall farm profitability.
12. Evaluation of Algae and Airline Pre-Consumer Food Waste in Diets for Pacific White Shrimp
Presenters: Naomi Aku Agboli, Waldemar Rossi, Kasondra Miller, and Farias Ana Bentriz, Kentucky State University
Naomi Agboli, a graduate student at the Kentucky State University School of Aquaculture and Aquatic Science (SAAS), presents her study on the evaluation of algae and airline pre-consumer food waste in shrimp diets. This presentation explores cutting-edge, circular-economy solutions for aquafeeds by transforming novel, sustainable byproducts into functional feed ingredients. Agboli shares key experimental findings on how these alternative dietary components impact shrimp growth performance, survival, and nutritional efficiency, offering promising pathways for reducing both feed costs and environmental impact in aquaculture.
13. From Biofloc to Clear Water: A Progression of RAS Designs for Optimizing Shrimp Farming Systems
Presenters: Marissa Bermeo and Andrew J. Ray, Kentucky State University
Dr. Andrew Ray, Chair and Associate Professor at the Kentucky State University School of Aquaculture and Aquatic Science, explores the progression of shrimp research at KSU. This presentation bridges the gap between production technology and commercial viability, evaluating how different culture environments, such as biofloc versus clear water RAS, impact final product quality, consumer perception, and regional market strategy. Dr. Ray shares key data from KSU's research timeline to help producers choose the right operational systems to optimize both their harvest and their bottom line.
14. Small Farmers Opportunities for Direct Marketing to Consumers and Retailers
Presenter: Angela Caporelli, Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture Coordinator and Market Specialist
Angela Caporelli tackles the critical post-harvest landscape in her presentation on marketing shrimp in the USA. This session breaks down the regulatory frameworks, food safety standards, and cold-chain logistics required to bring domestic inland-raised shrimp to market legally and efficiently. Caporelli shares expert strategies on value-added processing, navigating wholesale and direct-to-consumer pipelines, and effectively marketing the premium sustainable nature of US-grown seafood to maximize profitability.
15. Indoor Shrimp Farming Workshop, Kentucky State University
Presenter: Gene W. Kim, USDA-NIFA National Program Leader Aquaculture, Washington D.C.
Gene W. Kim Ph USDA NIFA National Program Leader Aquaculture presents an overview on NIFA Funding Programs, ARS Research Programs and Federal issues.