In pursuit of responsible and sustainable aquaculture practices, Aquarev Farm, located in Kedimpal, Desa Baskara Bakti, Kec. Namang, Bangka Tengah, Bangka Belitung Islands Province, Indonesia, is fully committed to meeting the international standards set by the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC). A cornerstone of the ASC certification process is transparency: the open disclosure of operational data to the public, stakeholders, and auditors across all aspects of farm operations.

Starting October 3, 2025, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officially enforced Import Alert IA 99-52, a new regulation directly impacting Indonesia’s shrimp export industry. The decision came after trace amounts of Cesium-137 were detected in a limited batch of Indonesian shrimp exports to the US. While the case is considered isolated, the FDA took swift action to tighten monitoring and reinforce food safety standards.

Indonesia entered 2025 with high hopes for its shrimp industry. The year before, exports had reached USD 1.68 billion, with the United States absorbing 60% of shipments. But optimism quickly turned into anxiety as prices collapsed unexpectedly in early 2025. The question is: what triggered this downturn?

In shrimp farming, water is not merely a medium—it is the very lifeblood of success. Healthy water quality supports the ecosystem, ensures optimal shrimp growth, and secures sustainable harvests. Yet, water quality management does not begin inside the pond. It all starts at one critical point: the pond inlet.

In shrimp aquaculture, size isn’t just about weight or length—it’s a foundational metric that shapes economic value, harvesting efficiency, and market compatibility. Shrimp sizing refers to the number of shrimp per kilogram. The lower the count, the larger each individual shrimp. For example, size 100 means 100 shrimp per kilogram, while size 30 means just 30—each weighing around 33 grams.

As global shrimp demand accelerates, the aquaculture industry faces a critical challenge: scaling production without compromising environmental sustainability. In Indonesia, where shrimp farming is vital to economic growth and exports, farmers must rethink their practices to protect ecosystems while pursuing higher yields.

As Indonesia solidifies its position as a leading player in the global aquaculture sector, the pressure to modernize shrimp farming practices grows stronger. With global demand for high-quality shrimp continuing to rise, farmers are being pushed to increase output while navigating tighter environmental regulations and shifting market standards. Yet, many traditional shrimp farms across the country still operate with aging infrastructure—manual systems, poor pond lining, and insufficient water management—making them vulnerable to disease outbreaks, inefficient resource use, and declining yields.