Simao Zacharias, originally from Mozambique, recently completed his PhD with the Systems Group at the Institute of Aquaculture under the supervision of Professor David Little on the long standing commercial shrimp hatchery practice of unilateral eyestalk ablation to achieve higher egg production within commercial hatcheries. This has long been a concern in terms of animal welfare, but Simao through his studies collaborating and working together with the private/commercial sector was able to show that it is both unnecessary and can increase the risk of disease.

Simao‘s research in both the America’s and Asia was able to clearly show: using correct, modified hatchery protocols that postlarvae from non-ablated broodstock could be more robust.

He will now present his work at the GAA Goal conference (5-8 October 2020) where the overall winner will be selected. Simão is currently a Postdoctoral researcher at the University of Stirling and working to further validate high welfare practice(s) in the commercial shrimp sector.

Simao reflects:

One of the best decisions I made in my life was to do a PhD at Stirling. I gained amazing and considerable experiences across the global aquaculture field, especially in my PhD area commercial shrimp hatchery and grow out. I was also able to improve my international networking, analytical and writing skills across aquaculture research and development. My PhD and learned Stirling colleagues allowed me to work directly hands on with farms and hatcheries, both learning from them, and also in my own applied studies, to bring new and commercially viable research knowledge to the shrimp industry. My extended time in the field in Central America (Honduras) and South East Asia (Thailand) enriched my multicultural experience and understanding of different approaches used in different locations.

Overall, I am grateful, my PhD at Stirling has now given me international career prospects from which I now plan to give back in working and contributing to aquaculture development around the world.

Further details about Simao’s work and the Innovation Awards can be found on the Global Aquaculture Advocate Website.