The Center for Responsible Seafood recently presented Robins McIntosh, executive vice president at Charoen Pokphand Group Co., Ltd. (CP Foods), with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Shrimp Summit 2023 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
George Chamberlain, president of the Center for Responsible Seafood, lauded McIntosh's pioneering contributions, highlighting his more than 20-year dedication to sustainable shrimp production. His multiple innovations have undeniably set new benchmarks for the global seafood industry.
McIntosh's innovations transformed shrimp practices not only in Thailand but throughout Southeast Asia. He introduced next-generation shrimp feeds, advanced hatchery solutions, and modern grow-out techniques, fortifying CP Foods' respected position in the industry.
Under McIntosh's guidance, CP Foods achieved significant milestones, including introducing L. vannamei to Thailand and leading the development of specific pathogen-free (SPF) giant tiger prawns. These advancements positioned CP Foods as a global leader in genetic advancements for vannamei and monodon shrimp species, propelling Asia's shrimp cultivation into a modern era. Today, the company offers farmers one of the world's fastest-growing shrimp breeds.
Beyond these achievements, McIntosh continues to tackle industry-wide challenges. He's at the forefront of improving shrimp culture practices and combating significant shrimp diseases. He's also leading the charge in adapting new aquaculture technology for commercial shrimp farming. CP Foods' latest innovation focuses on enhanced biosecurity against emerging pathogens like EMS, EHP, and WSSV. This technology, rooted in RAS (recirculating aquaculture systems) principles, features compact pond designs. RAS systems recycle water, reducing the need for freshwater from external sources. This not only minimizes the risk of pathogen introduction but also efficiently processes shrimp waste, ensuring an eco-friendly approach.
Furthermore, McIntosh plays a pivotal role in CP Foods’ subsidiary, Homegrown Shrimp, based in the U.S. This entity pushes the boundaries of shrimp cultivation within state-of-the-art American indoor facilities. Their RAS system produces the globally renowned Pacific white shrimp and operates a hatchery that has supplied shrimp postlarvae to international farmers for over five years.
