When it comes to groundbreaking ideas driving the industry’s transformation and recognition of the shrimp value chain and the effort of all the direct and indirect workers, Gabriel Luna’s name is always at the forefront.
Luna is considered not just an expert in shrimp farming but a visionary who is creatively reshaping the industry to become a more sustainable and innovative model for the future of aquaculture.
From the bustling shrimp farms to global conferences, his work transforms the way we think about seafood production, balancing the scales between environmental responsibility and feeding a growing global population.
Gabriel’s visionary approach is evident: “I want to change how people see the architecture of shrimp production, and I want to change their vision, because we all know that climate change will not stop here.
“It’s going to get worse. It’s going to affect our lives. I want to make it a mission. I want to build sustainable projects and parks that would respond, or would be more resilient and more sustainable projects that can last decades.”
This commitment to long-term sustainability and resilience underscores his transformative impact on the aquaculture industry.
Luna’s superior expertise in shrimp farming is born from decades of hands-on experience and a deep understanding of the delicate ecosystems that sustain aquaculture.
As one of the most sought-after experts in the field, he has witnessed firsthand the environmental challenges posed by traditional farming methods. His unique ability to blend practical knowledge with innovative thinking has positioned him as a visionary in the industry.
As Luna explains: “I always compare a shrimp farm to a classroom full of kids. If you have a classroom of kids that are three or four years old, you need a small air conditioning. You need a small thermos, a small chair, a small table, and you can have 40 kids in the same room. But if those kids become teenagers, that air conditioning is not enough. The small thermos is not enough. So you must expand and make the room bigger for the 40 teenagers.”
This analogy demonstrates his practical approach to understanding and managing the complex ecosystems in shrimp farming, showcasing his ability to translate deep knowledge into accessible concepts.
Rather than accepting these issues as part of the cost of doing business, Luna, widely regarded as one of the best in his field, decided to tackle them head-on. He explains his groundbreaking approach: “We use salt water, and through our processes, we return water to the environment cleaner than when it comes in. We create an ecosystem that’s pristine for the shrimp to grow. The whole operation is like running a perfectly tuned engine.”
This innovative method has minimized environmental impact and maximized productivity, setting new standards in the aquaculture industry.
His willingness to embrace cutting-edge technology sets him apart from his peers. His in-depth knowledge of both traditional farming practices and modern technology has led to remarkable innovations. Luna proudly describes one of his achievements: “We now have a microphone underwater. We can hear shrimp when they are chewing, and when we hear them, we give them food. It’s like if every time your kid goes to the fridge, somebody throws them a healthy, planned meal.”
Luna’s expertise shines through in his collaboration with XpertSea, where he played a pivotal role in developing the innovative KAMPI Shrimp Software solution. This cutting-edge, AI-powered tool is set to transform shrimp farming by delivering unprecedented efficiencies and cost savings.
Explaining the impact of the technology, Gabriel says: “This software enables farmers to make thousands of decisions rapidly by analyzing key factors such as oxygen levels, temperature, salinity, and water quality. Instead of relying on manual calculations, the system offers instant recommendations, making it an invaluable tool for the future of shrimp farming.”
Katie Sokalsky, CEO of XpertSea, applauds Luna’s contributions: “Gabriel’s deep understanding of the critical points in shrimp farming was essential to creating a software solution that provides farmers with a comprehensive view of the decision-making process. His expertise has fundamentally shaped our software, paving the way for more sustainable and profitable shrimp farming practices on a global scale.”
Sustainability is more than just a buzzword for Luna; it’s a core principle that has earned him numerous accolades. His highly regarded farming practices have significantly reduced water usage and energy consumption while eliminating the need for harmful chemicals.
He emphasizes: “We’re not only building luxurious apartments, but we also build affordable housing for shrimp. Even if it’s an affordable project, it doesn’t mean we have to build cheaply. We need to maintain building standards.”
Luna’s contributions extend far beyond his own farms. As a prominent figure in the global aquaculture community, he has been a featured speaker at over 30 international conferences.
David Castro, Co-Founder and Co-Chairman of the Global Shrimp Council, attests to Luna’s influence: “The founding members selected Mr. Luna as Chairman for his outstanding achievements in the shrimp industry. His expertise in agriculture shrimp specialization, coupled with his leadership prowess, made him an ideal candidate for this pivotal role.”
His vision for the future of shrimp farming isn’t just about immediate gains; it’s about creating a long-term, future-proof industry. He articulates this vision passionately: “I really believe that shrimp can feed the world if there is a problem. We have grown our production exponentially, and if needed, we could continue to grow that production to eventually become a source of protein for the world.”
Ricardo Arosemena, President of the Ecuadorian American Chamber of Commerce in Miami, underscores Luna’s global impact: “Under his visionary leadership, Mr. Luna has driven the most successful trade initiatives in the aquaculture sector between Ecuador and the United States. His efforts have strengthened trade relations and fostered growth and sustainability within the industry.”
Luna’s commitment is evident in the results he has achieved for companies he has worked with.
Through his company, GLunaShrimp, Luna provides market reports and statistics subscribed to by the most influential seafood companies worldwide, solidifying his reputation as a leading industry analyst.
At Empacreci, he played a crucial role in expanding the company’s operations, helping it multiply its size sixfold. Luna worked closely with production managers and sales teams, guiding them to select the most efficient products to pack and sell, optimizing both output and profitability.
He provided invaluable expertise by training Shells and Fish Import and Export’s general manager. His guidance ensured that the company’s leadership was well-equipped to navigate the complexities of the shrimp industry, leading to improved operations and growth.
In his work with Skalo, Luna helped the Italian seafood importer significantly increase its shrimp imports, growing from 4.8 million to 11 million pounds annually. His strategic insights into market trends and production timing were instrumental in driving this impressive growth.
Luna has also been a panelist at the Global Shrimp Forum in Utrecht for three consecutive years, contributing to the trade and statistics panel.
His expertise has also extended to presenting the Ecuadorian shrimp industry to CEOs from major global companies, solidifying his reputation as a leading industry authority.
Luna is highly sought after as an expert in Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, Spain, France, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, and Italy, where his insights are valued for shaping industry practices and driving growth.
His innovative and forward-thinking approach to shrimp farming is undoubtedly redefining the industry. Luna’s work, recognized with the prestigious 2024 Aquaculture Entrepreneurship Award from the Ecuadorian American Chamber of Commerce, has shown that it’s not only possible to produce shrimp in a way that’s good for both consumers and the environment but that this model could very well become the future of seafood production.
From leveraging technology to promoting eco-friendly practices, Gabriel Luna is truly the visionary behind a sustainable shrimp farming future.
As the world grapples with food security challenges and environmental conservation, Luna’s model of sustainable shrimp farming offers a promising solution.
His unique ability to balance productivity with ecological responsibility is paving the way for a future where aquaculture can meet growing global demand without compromising the health of our planet. In essence, Luna is not just a leader in shrimp farming; he’s architecting the future of sustainable seafood production.