Did you know? María Fernanda led the implementation of the blockchain traceability system for Ecuadorian shrimp, marking a turning point in transparency and sustainability in the global aquaculture sector.
María Fernanda Vilches, Process Manager at Sustainable Shrimp Partnership (SSP), has nearly 15 years of experience in the Ecuadorian aquaculture industry. Since 2018, she has been leading the technical, certification, and social sustainability processes of the SSP program, a pioneering initiative that promotes the production of premium, antibiotic-free, fully traceable shrimp.
She has directed the development of technical certification protocols for shrimp farms in collaboration with the Colombian Institute of Technical Standards and Certification (ICONTEC) and led the certification of the first SSP farms, which today cover more than 8,500 hectares. In addition, she heads the Living Wage measurement project, a benchmark for social sustainability in the global shrimp industry.
At the same time, she serves as International Fair Manager at the National Aquaculture Chamber (CNA), where she has organized over 60 international pavilions across the Americas, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, positioning Ecuadorian shrimp as a global reference for quality, sustainability, and traceability.
