PT Brother advances shrimp welfare with Ace Aquatec's A-HSU® for Shrimp
13 July 2026
As shrimp welfare continues to receive greater attention across global aquaculture, producers are increasingly looking at ways to strengthen harvesting practices while maintaining operational efficiency. For Indonesian shrimp producer PT Brother, investing in humane stunning technology forms part of its broader commitment to sustainable shrimp farming and responsible production.
Based in Cilacap, Central Java, PT Brother operates shrimp farming activities at a site that initially covers 3.5 hectares and is being expanded to 21 hectares. The farm currently produces approximately 350 tonnes per year, supplying both domestic and international markets. PT Brother applies an environmentally responsible farming concept, including the use of healthy post-larvae, electricity-based water sterilisation technologies such as UV and electrolysis, strict biosecurity measures, zero use of antibiotics and other prohibited substances, and proper treatment of pond discharge water before it is released into the sea.
In addition to these farming operations, PT Brother is also developing partnerships with selected partner farms to increase total harvest volumes. Through this model, partner farms are encouraged to adopt the same environmentally responsible and sustainable aquaculture principles implemented by PT Brother, while harvest operations can be supported using Ace Aquatec’s A-HSU® stunning technology.
As demand grows for greater transparency, traceability and welfare assurance across seafood supply chains, the company has been exploring new ways to strengthen its harvesting operations, including the adoption of Ace Aquatec's A-HSU® stunning technology, to improve outcomes for both shrimp and customers.
Prioritising shrimp welfare during harvest
Harvest is one of the most critical stages in shrimp production. Historically, shrimp harvested from PT Brother's ponds often faced long transportation times before reaching processing facilities, with journeys sometimes lasting up to 12 hours. In addition to creating logistical challenges, prolonged transport can contribute to increased stress during handling and processing. Recognising the need for a more welfare-focused approach, PT Brother began searching for solutions that could improve shrimp welfare while streamlining harvest operations.
The company selected Ace Aquatec's A-HSU® for Shrimp, an in-water electrical stunning system designed to render shrimp unconscious almost instantly before harvest. By introducing humane shrimp stunning directly into the harvesting process, PT Brother aims to reduce stress during handling and align its operations with evolving shrimp welfare standards.
The benefits of portable shrimp stunning technology
One of the key advantages of the A-HSU® for Shrimp is its portability. Unlike fixed stunning systems, the portable unit can be moved easily between ponds, allowing harvesting teams to bring humane stunning technology directly to the point of harvest.
For PT Brother, this flexibility was a major factor in the investment decision. The portable system reduces the need for long transportation periods immediately after harvest and enables shrimp to be processed much closer to where they are collected. This supports more efficient harvesting operations while helping to improve welfare outcomes throughout the process.
The ability to stun shrimp directly at the pond also helps minimise handling and reduces the time between harvest and processing. By shortening this critical stage of production, PT Brother aims to improve consistency across its harvesting operations while supporting higher welfare standards.
Alongside the welfare benefits, the company anticipates significant operational improvements as the technology becomes fully integrated into its harvesting process. Prior to installing the A-HSU®, the farm processed approximately one tonne of shrimp every 45 minutes using traditional harvesting methods. With the portable stunning system in place, PT Brother believes processing capacity could continue to increase substantially.
Meeting evolving shrimp welfare standards
Discussion around shrimp welfare has accelerated rapidly in recent years as scientific understanding of decapod sentience continues to develop. Retailers, certification bodies, seafood buyers and consumers are paying increasing attention to how shrimp are harvested and processed, particularly within export markets where welfare expectations continue to evolve.
Historically, many shrimp producers have relied on ice slurry harvesting methods, where shrimp gradually lose consciousness as temperatures decrease. As awareness of shrimp welfare grows, alternative approaches such as in-water stunning are attracting increased interest as producers seek to align with emerging best practices.
Investing in the future of shrimp farming
PT Brother has already outlined plans to expand the use of humane stunning technology across additional production sites. If implemented across its three main farming locations, the company expects annual harvest volumes in Cilacap to increase from approximately 350 tonnes to more than 2,000 tonnes in the coming years.
The investment reflects a wider transformation taking place across global aquaculture. As shrimp producers face increasing expectations around sustainability, traceability and shrimp welfare, technologies capable of supporting both operational performance and animal welfare are becoming increasingly valuable.
For PT Brother, the adoption of Ace Aquatec's A-HSU® marks a commitment to a future where shrimp welfare, efficient harvesting and sustainable aquaculture production are closely connected, helping the company deliver responsible, high-quality seafood while positioning itself for long-term growth.
