LatAm aquaculture conference offers 'unique' chance to hear shrimp expert
Internationally recognised shrimp aquaculture specialist David Kawahigashi has been announced as one of the plenary speakers at the Latin American and Caribbean Aquaculture Congress (LACQUA26) to be held in El Salvador in October.
With more than 40 years of technical and management experience spanning every stage of shrimp aquaculture, 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, titled “Are Vietnam’s Circular and Multi-Phase Pond Systems the Future of Global Intensive Aquaculture?” will address the evolution of intensive production systems and the potential of innovative models developed in Vietnam to meet the industry’s growing challenges of sustainability, productivity, and operational efficiency.
Technical training
Kawahigashi began his professional career in Hawaii in 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 programmes.
His areas of expertise include design and implementation of intensive and multi-phase shrimp production systems; genetic improvement programmes and broodstock management; technical management of shrimp hatcheries; development of sustainable high-intensity grow-out systems using circular ponds; and application of biofloc technology and recirculating aquacultures (RAS).
He is also an expert in use of probiotics, synbiotics, and postbiotics to enhance production performance, and in technical training and capacity building for aquaculture professionals.
A unique opportunity
LACQUA26 organisers said Kawahigashi’s extensive experience across Latin America, Asia, and the United States makes the plenary session a unique opportunity for those interested in learning about the technologies and production strategies shaping the future of global shrimp farming.
The Congress will take place October 27-30, 2026, in San Salvador, El Salvador, and is organised by the Latin American and 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.
Researchers, professionals, and students interested in presenting their work are invited to submit their abstracts here by August 14, 2026.
Registration for the conference is now open and can be completed here.
