When it comes to the commercial shrimp genetics market for breeding, using cutting-edge technologies to deliver best-in-class hatchery feed, genomic selection, quantitative genetics and breeding science, there is none at the top other than SyAqua.
It is a Singapore-based company that is revolutionizing shrimp genetics and alternative feeds so that the world’s wild fish stocks can be saved, proliferated, grown, and developed for the future.
Incepted in 2001 and first began in Berkeley, California in 2002, its CEO, Fred H. Kao, SyAqua subsequently expanded over its two-and-a-half decades of journey to the global markets including USA, China, India, Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia.
According to Fred, SyAqua’s renowned Balanced Line genetics, which is a combination of robustness, higher survival rate, and excellent efficiency (FCR and ADG), has excelled across diverse production environments and management systems in Asia. To maintain a competitive edge, SyAqua continues to consistently invest in cutting-edge genetics research and industry experts to ensure a consistent delivery of improved performance.
Leading the Blue Revolution in Aquaculture
At the forefront of innovation in global aquaculture, SyAqua is making powerful waves as one of the most dynamic and forward-thinking companies in the industry. Under its visionary leadership, the company is redefining how genetics can drive performance, sustainability, and impact within the aquaculture value chain.
With over 25 years of experience in agriculture—20 of which were rooted deeply in poultry genetics—Fred brings a rare perspective to the aquaculture sector. “I started in the chicken days,” he reflects, emphasizing the critical role genetics plays at the top of the food production chain. In the poultry world, being involved in genetics meant steering outcomes at a fundamental level rather than reacting to inherited variables. “Instead of being in a passive position like a commercial farmer, I wanted to be in a place where I could create impact and make real changes,” Fred explains.
This desire to create impact led Fred from poultry to feed additives and ultimately back to genetics—this time, in aquaculture. He identified a compelling gap: while poultry and swine genetics were decades ahead in terms of selection, understanding, and utilization, shrimp genetics were still playing catch-up. This realization formed the foundation of SyAqua’s mission—being responsible for protecting what matters most, whether that means preserving genetic integrity, ensuring robust biosecurity, or maintaining the health and well-being of animals.
SyAqua’s approach is grounded not just in improving productivity but also in driving sustainability. Supported by its parent company, a global leader in sustainable practices, SyAqua’s efforts align with the broader goal of building environmentally responsible food systems. This strategic alignment reinforced Fred’s decision to lead the company with a purpose that goes beyond profit—delivering long-term value for both farmers and the planet.
Redefining Aquaculture with Responsibility, Innovation, and Impact
Since taking the reins as CEO, Fred has shaped SyAqua into more than just a genetics company—he has transformed it into a purpose-driven force in global aquaculture. For Fred, SyAqua’s mission is rooted in two vital pillars: responsibility and impact. As one of the few players at the top of the genetic supply chain in shrimp farming, the company holds a unique and weighty responsibility. “If companies like ours fail to deliver healthy genetics, it ripples across the entire chain—from struggling farmers to higher prices for consumers,” Fred explains. That’s why SyAqua is laser-focused on safeguarding genetic integrity, ensuring robust biosecurity, and maintaining healthy animals—all while prioritizing environmental sustainability.
Fred’s vision is crystal clear: success isn’t just about profitability; it’s about profitable impact. “Of course, we want to make money—every business does,” he says candidly, “but what really matters is how that money is made and what change it drives.” SyAqua is pioneering methods to lower the feed conversion ratio (FCR), reduce water usage, minimize wastewater discharge, and lessen environmental bacterial load—all of which contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable blue economy. These efforts aren’t ESG checkboxes—they’re core to SyAqua’s DNA and its long-term legacy.
In an industry often marked by incremental innovation, SyAqua has carved out a reputation for bold leadership and game-changing science. But Fred believes it all begins with people and purpose. “Before we even talk about technology, we start with a clear mission and a unified team,” he emphasizes. This foundation empowers SyAqua to consistently “do the right things”—from meeting rigorous government regulations to upholding ethical practices in every aspect of operation.
On the technology front, SyAqua’s approach to shrimp genetics is a differentiator in a crowded field. Traditionally, the industry has focused on three traits: growth rate, survival rate, and disease resistance. SyAqua, however, has raised the bar. One of its standout innovations is the integration of robustness into its selection criteria. This means breeding shrimp that can thrive in real-world conditions—extreme temperatures, droughts, and fluctuating water quality—without relying on antibiotics. “We’re 100% antibiotic-free and proud of it,” Fred states. “Robustness isn’t just a scientific metric—it’s the difference between surviving and thriving.”
SyAqua’s story is a powerful testament to what happens when science, sustainability, and vision converge. As the company continues to lead from the top of the food chain, it’s not just enabling better yields for farmers—it’s setting new benchmarks for the entire aquaculture industry.
A Transformative Journey: A Measured Impact on the Future of Aquaculture
As SyAqua continues to expand its influence in the global aquaculture industry, its mission is becoming more than just a pursuit of innovation—it is a commitment to sustainability backed by measurable, data-driven impact. At the heart of this transformation lies a bold strategy centered around improving Feed Conversion Ratios (FCR)—a critical yet often overlooked metric in aquaculture.
Fred explains that even a minor improvement in FCR can yield dramatic environmental benefits. “If we reduce FCR from 1.2 to 1.19, we’re saving 10 grams of feed per kilo of shrimp. Across the global shrimp industry, which consumes 5 to 6 million metric tons of feed annually, that small percentage could translate to tens of thousands of tons of feed saved,” he explains. Less feed means fewer fish meals, reduced use of agricultural inputs like corn, and significantly lower industrial waste—directly benefiting marine ecosystems and decreasing the carbon footprint.
This focus on efficiency is not just theoretical. In 2024, SyAqua completed a landmark acquisition of Primo Genetics—the first major genetic merger in the shrimp industry in over a decade. This allowed SyAqua to base its genetics operations in both Thailand and the U.S., dramatically reducing the need for frequent international shipments of live animals. “We’re cutting down on unnecessary transport, slashing greenhouse gas emissions, and localizing production. It’s a small step with an enormous compounding effect across regions,” Fred says.
Yet sustainability at SyAqua is not about promises—it’s about proof. Collaborating with Oceans 14 Capital, SyAqua shares extensive datasets to accurately calculate greenhouse gas emissions, FCR reductions, and environmental performance. These datasets—collected from thousands of commercial data sets—help trace and optimize the supply chain’s environmental footprint. Fred explains, “We’re giving major retailers like Walmart and Costco tangible sustainability metrics, not just marketing claims.”
To Fred, the message is clear: “Sustainability isn’t a buzzword here. It’s baked into our breeding programs, our logistics, and our partnerships. We’re not waiting for the industry to change—we’re leading it with evidence.”
By refining genetics, reducing waste, and capturing actionable insights through data, SyAqua is more than a genetics company—it is a driver of systemic change. With each kilo of shrimp produced more sustainably, SyAqua is not only ensuring the resilience of the blue economy but also protecting the marine ecosystems that sustain it.
The Global Vision, Local Roots, and the Genetics of Sustainable Growth
SyAqua’s journey is not just a tale of aquaculture innovation—it is a living, evolving testament to how global ambition can meet local responsibility without compromise. In navigating the complex waters of international markets, SyAqua balances its global footprint with a profound respect for regional nuances. As their leadership explains, “Every country is different—be it regulation, partnerships, or local industry practices. There is no one-size-fits-all.”
Thailand provides a striking example of SyAqua’s commitment to doing what’s right, even at a cost. When concerns surfaced about inconsistent performance in local livestock, the root cause was traced to compromised genetic integrity. The solution? SyAqua took complete control of its supply chain, halting third-party sales and overseeing the entire breeding and distribution process in-house. This bold decision cost them 14–15% of their market share in Thailand—but it preserved the core of their promise: that every product bearing the SyAqua name delivers the genetic advantage it claims. “We’re not just selling animals—we’re protecting trust, and with it, the future of sustainable aquaculture,” they emphasize.
But SyAqua’s vision extends far beyond breeding. At the heart of its customer engagement strategy is a robust, technical after-sales service—an uncommon move in the genetics space. “We don’t just drop off the product and disappear,” says the team. “We ensure the animals arrive in the right condition, and our technical experts support the farmers at every growth stage.” This hands-on approach enhances both efficiency and profitability—two key metrics that matter deeply to farmers navigating increasingly volatile environmental and economic conditions.
Looking ahead, SyAqua’s five-year horizon started with the Primo acquisition —a groundbreaking initiative tailored to design specific genetic lines for diverse market preferences. For example, SyAqua is pioneering new feed strategies that challenge outdated norms. Traditionally, aquaculture relied on high crude protein diets for fast growth. However, SyAqua’s research reveals that optimizing protein intake across different growth phases can yield the same results with fewer resources.
This innovation isn’t just smart science—it’s ecological stewardship. Reducing unnecessary protein means using fewer natural inputs like fish meal and grain, which in turn lowers waste, improves water quality, and disrupts bacterial build-up in ponds.
As SyAqua redefines genetics through efficiency, profitability, and environmental sensitivity, it’s clear the company isn’t just adapting to a sustainable future—it’s engineering it.
The Message
As SyAqua’s transformative journey moves forward, its legacy is not only defined by innovation and sustainability—but by a clarion call to the next generation. Fred’s advice to aspiring professionals is as candid as it is inspiring: “If you want to make a difference, work in genetics.” The field is far from easy—it demands resilience, long-term vision, and a sense of responsibility that stretches across time and ecosystems. Decisions made today ripple years into the future, affecting farmers, food systems, and the planet. Yet, for those willing to embrace the unpredictability and passion required—from hatchery smells to shifting climates—the rewards are boundless. “You’ll never wake up to the same day twice,” he says. And that’s the true heart of SyAqua: an evolving organism driven by purpose, powered by people, and forever rooted in a vision of meaningful, measurable impact across the aquaculture world.
