Happy Shrimps is a program that sets a new benchmark for the ethical production of aquaculture in developing countries. Bad practices, lack of information and ignorance as well as miscommunication between North and South are some reasons. On the other hand side the flood of standards and labels on the consumer market is crushy confusing.

• What is beyond these labels?
• What is the content of standards?
• How can consumers be assured that the requirements are fulfilled?
• Is there any violation of food criteria?
• Is there any environmental and social contempt?
• Is the supply chain closed?
• Could the consumer get transparency about all these issues?
• How to trace the process within the entire supply chain?

These are the questions we are dealing with and we have the partners who can jointly find solutions for best practice required for Farmers, processors & traders, but also technical experts, NGOs and scientific institutions. All have one common focus: the improvement of current practice in order to produce good quality under acceptable production conditions. One language, one target!

First spot of ‘happy shrimps’ is Bangladesh. The reputation of the Bangladeshi shrimp sector within the last ten years is negative. The violation of food standards has regularly alarmed international authorities to ban the import of Bangladeshi shrimps. Today a lot of activities have been started to acquire a better image. A lot of campaigns have been launched to sensitize farmers, qualify producers and processors. Training and implementation of new methods have been successfully introduced. However Bangladesh is not yet on the mental map of international trade, not to mention consumers. Our perception is different. If we can realise the production of bio-shrimps under ethical criteria in Bangladesh, than we can do it everywhere.

Putting the last first!