Ecuador has made history by becoming the first country in the world to transparently measure a living wage in its aquaculture sector, specifically in shrimp farming. This move marks a significant milestone in advancing social responsibility within the global seafood industry.
The initiative is led by the Sustainable Shrimp Partnership (SSP), in collaboration with the National Chamber of Aquaculture (CNA). Announced during the latest edition of SustainED in Guayaquil, the new framework allows shrimp producers to assess and publicly report whether their workers earn a living wage—defined as sufficient income to meet basic needs such as food, housing, education, and healthcare.
Pamela Nath, Executive Director of SSP, emphasized that this development elevates the standard for responsible production. “This is not just about complying with minimum wage laws—it’s about going further to ensure dignity and security for every worker. This initiative sets a precedent for the global aquaculture industry.”
The first phase involves collecting wage data from member companies, including major producers such as Grupo Almar, Lanec, Omarsa, Promarisco, and feed suppliers like BioMar and Skretting. Participating farms are comparing actual salaries with living wage benchmarks, identifying any gaps, and setting improvement targets. The results will be publicly reported on an annual basis.
The SSP 2023 Sustainability Report has already outlined advances in zero antibiotic use, water resource management, smallholder inclusion, and now, transparent wage practices. These achievements position Ecuador as a leader in sustainable shrimp production.
José Antonio Camposano, Executive President of CNA, praised the initiative as a transformative step. “By integrating living wage tracking into sustainability practices, Ecuador’s shrimp industry is once again demonstrating leadership, showing that social and environmental responsibility must go hand in hand.”
The project will begin with data covering around 5,000 workers across SSP-affiliated farms. By 2027, the goal is to implement the framework across all members and incorporate it into independent certification standards.
This pioneering approach ensures that environmental sustainability is matched by social equity, setting a new global standard for aquaculture.
