The Center for Responsible Seafood - TCRS

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The Center for Responsible Seafood - TCRS

At The Center for Responsible Seafood, we envision a world meeting the critical need for sustainable and regenerative seafood production.

TCRS has developed a track record of projects on transformation of aquaculture by addressing fundamental issues through knowledge sharing, applied research, and collaboration with industry, governments, NGOs, academia, development banks, and foundations. We have expanded our work to encompass projects that also advance responsible practices for wild-caught seafood.

04/14/2026

Conversations around the future of shrimp aquaculture are becoming more focused—and more practical.

At the 2026 Kentucky State University Shrimp Farming Symposium, TCRS President Dr. George Chamberlain shared a global perspective on where the industry is heading.

A few clear signals emerged:

• The shift toward more controlled and intensive production systems
• Increasing importance of water quality, stability, and system design
• Continued innovation in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS)
• Greater reliance on data and automation to improve consistency and performance

What stood out most is that innovation is no longer theoretical—it’s being tested, refined, and in many cases, already deployed.

The opportunity now is not just innovation, but scaling what works across diverse production environments globally.

04/08/2026

Exploring what “intensive shrimp farming” looks like when it actually works.

During a recent visit, Dr. George Chamberlain met with Dr. Kumaraguru Vasagam at the Central Institute for Brackishwater Aquaculture (CIBA), where a series of intensive round pond trials are delivering strong, repeatable results.

Key observations from the program:

• 15 production cycles completed — all successful
• Stocking densities of 200–380 shrimp/m³
• ~90% survival rates
• Feed conversion ratio (FCR) of ~1.2
• 500 m³ growout tanks designed for controlled intensification

The system combines practical engineering with adaptive management:

• Paddlewheel aeration for primary oxygenation
• Diffusers in nursery systems (with limitations noted)
• Venturi systems in growout tanks to reduce clogging risks
• Autofeeding technology from AquaExchange
• Gradual water exchange (15–20% toward end of cycle)

What stands out is not just performance—but consistency across cycles.

This kind of work moves the conversation beyond theory and into something far more important: repeatable, scalable production systems.

As the industry looks toward higher efficiency and lower risk, models like this are worth paying close attention to.

03/30/2026

A recent visit organized by Blake Stok of Thai Union brought together a team from The Nature Conservancy to explore a low-carbon shrimp farm just south of Bangkok.

At R. Mitrchai Farm, the focus was on practical solutions already being applied on the ground—solar panels supporting farm operations and smart aerators improving efficiency while reducing energy use.

As the aquaculture sector continues to address climate challenges, the conversation is increasingly shifting from commitments to implementation. What matters is how these solutions translate into real-world adoption—farms that are more efficient, more resilient, and more sustainable for the communities that depend on them.

Low-carbon shrimp farming is not a distant ambition. It is already taking shape. The opportunity now is to scale what works.

Experiences like these highlight the importance of collaboration between industry and conservation partners in advancing responsible seafood production.

03/26/2026

Can shrimp be humanely slaughtered at scale?

This video is part of a TCRS shrimp welfare project funded by Mobius, exploring practical and scalable approaches to improving shrimp welfare in aquaculture.

Filmed in India, the video shows a field demonstration of an Optimar electric stunner, donated by the Shrimp Welfare Project and operated by Devi Fisheries at a contract shrimp farm.

The demonstration includes:

- Shrimp harvesting from ponds
- Operation of the electric stunner
- Observation of post-stunning response
- Individual and batch testing
- Packing of stunned shrimp

📌 What’s next?
In mid-April, researchers from the University of Stirling will conduct comparative trials to evaluate electric stunning against:

- Chill killing in ice-water
- Chill killing in super-chilled slurry ice (Devi Seafoods)

These trials aim to provide science-based insights into humane slaughter methods for shrimp.

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03/24/2026

Building stronger regional connections is key to advancing responsible seafood.

During a recent visit in Bangkok, Dr. George Chamberlain, President of The Center for Responsible Seafood (TCRS), met with Dr. Derun Yuan, Senior Program Officer at the Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific (NACA).

With NACA’s close ties to government agencies across Asia, the discussion focused on opportunities to expand awareness and engagement around the Responsible Seafood Summit & Shrimp Summit and TCRS initiatives.

Partnerships like these play an important role in connecting industry, research, and policy—helping accelerate progress toward more responsible and sustainable aquaculture systems.

We look forward to continued collaboration.

03/13/2026

Engaging with industry leaders is an important part of understanding the challenges and opportunities facing the seafood sector.

During a recent visit to Thailand, Dr. George Chamberlain met with Mr. Mongkol Sukcharoenkana, President of the National Fisheries Association of Thailand, and Mr. Aphisit Techanitisawad, President of the Thai Overseas Fisheries Association.

The discussion focused on the significant hardships facing the Thai fishing sector following regulatory changes introduced over the past decade.

Open conversations like these help build better understanding and support progress toward sustainable fisheries and responsible seafood systems.

03/12/2026

Aquaculture innovation continues to evolve.

During a recent visit to Thailand, Dr. George Chamberlain visited the facilities of Mr. Somprasong (“Milk”), President of the Thai Eastern Shrimp Association, to observe an indoor seabass farming system that combines biofloc technology with recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS).

The patented system allows for nearly complete water reuse, helping improve efficiency while reducing environmental impact.

Innovative approaches like this highlight the continued progress being made in sustainable aquaculture.

03/11/2026

Great conversations about the future of shrimp farming in Ho Chi Minh City.

During his recent visit to Vietnam, Dr. George Chamberlain met with Dr. Loc Tran, who is developing a highly innovative shrimp farming operation using advanced technologies and modern management systems.

The farm integrates several cutting-edge approaches, including SPF broodstock, deforestation-free feed sourcing, automated feeding systems, mangrove-based water reuse, and laser systems to deter bird predation.

Dr. Tran’s goal is to create smart, repeatable shrimp farming systems built on strong operating procedures and technology-driven management.

Innovation like this continues to move aquaculture forward.

03/10/2026

Science and innovation are essential to building a more sustainable aquaculture sector.

During a recent visit to Thailand, Dr. George Chamberlain met with researchers at BIOTEC (National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology) near Bangkok.

Dr. Kallaya Sritunyalucksana-Dangtip leads the Integrative Aquaculture Biotechnology Research Group — a team of 75 researchers working on solutions for shrimp health, breeding, diagnostics, and disease management.

The group is developing exciting advances including:

• Algal biotech solutions for White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV)
• Shrimp breeding technologies
• Bacteriophage discovery for disease control
• Practical diagnostic kits for farmers
• Applied research through commercial trials

During the visit, Dr. Sage Chaiyapechara also demonstrated BIOTEC’s Biosecurity Level-2 Service Laboratory used for disease challenge studies and nutrition research.

Collaboration between research institutions and industry continues to drive innovation in aquaculture.

03/09/2026

Seafood innovation doesn’t stop at the farm or processing plant — it also includes finding new ways to turn waste into valuable resources.

During a visit to Ho Chi Minh City, Dr. George Chamberlain met with Loc Phan, Chairman and CEO of Vietnam Food (VNF).

VNF is working to upcycle shrimp processing byproducts into valuable products. Shrimp heads and shells can be converted into materials such as chitosan, bioactive peptides, astaxanthin, and other compounds used in food, health, and industrial applications.

This kind of circular thinking helps reduce waste while creating new opportunities across the seafood value chain.

Address

1000 Market Street
Portsmouth, NH
03801

Telephone

+16033175000

Website

http://www.responsibleseafood.org/

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