ISSUE FOCUS 60 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE August 2025 AQUACULTURE'S UNTAPPED POTENTIAL FACES A THREAT As the global population grows and the demand for high-quality, sustainable protein sources intensifies, aquaculture stands out as a critical pillar of future food security. From Asia to Latin America, shrimp farming has become a cornerstone of this rapidly evolving sector. Yet, despite the promising growth, aquaculture remains highly vulnerable to one of its most persistent adversaries: Disease outbreaks. In shrimp farming, viral pathogens such as White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) and Infectious Myonecrosis Virus (IMNV) represent significant threats. These pathogens can decimate entire shrimp populations within days, leading to catastrophic financial losses for farmers and destabilizing supply chains. According to industry estimates, the economic damage from such outbreaks can run into billions of dollars annually. Beyond the immediate financial implications, the ripple effects erode farmer confidence, disrupt trade, and hinder long-term investment in sustainable aquaculture growth. Historically, the industry has leaned on traditional solutions, ranging from antibiotics and probiotics to enhanced biosecurity measures, to combat disease. While these approaches have yielded incremental improvements, they often fall short when scaled across large, diverse production systems. Moreover, concerns over antibiotic resistance, residue in seafood products, and environmental impact have fueled demand for more advanced, eco-friendly alternatives. PRECISION TOOLS FOR A HEALTHIER SHRIMP INDUSTRY ViAqua is at the forefront of a transformative shift in disease management through its pioneering work with RNA-based aquaculture technologies. By harnessing the power of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), ViAqua’s platform offers a new class of functional health solutions designed to enhance shrimp immunity from the inside out. These tools operate by triggering a natural biological process known as RNA interference (RNAi), a pathway that allows the shrimp to silence specific viral genes and prevent replication of harmful pathogens. RNA-based technologies for aquaculture offer a promising, sustainable way to boost disease resistance, performance & productivity through mass in-feed application. With traditional methods falling short and viral outbreaks still threatening production, these innovative feed-based solutions point to a scalable, sustainable alternative. But how exactly do they work—and can they live up to the promise in real-world farming? RNA-Based Technology for Aquaculture: REVOLUTIONIZING SHRIMP HEALTH Elad Zohar VP of Business Development ViAqua Therapeutics
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