Unima

Unima is a shrimp-fishing, aquaculture, processing, and seafood distribution group headquartered in Luxembourg and operating principally in Madagascar. The company was founded in 1965 by Aziz Hassam Ismail and initially developed through fishing activities in the waters around Madagascar. A major early expansion came in 1973, when Ismail acquired Les Pêcheries de Nossi-Bé, a small shrimp-fishing business. This transaction provided the foundation for Unima’s later development into an integrated seafood producer rather than a company focused solely on wild-catch fishing. During the 1990s, Unima expanded into shrimp aquaculture through Aqualma, a large farming operation based in Madagascar. The company developed approximately 1,800 acres of aquaculture ponds and invested in domesticated, specific-pathogen-free broodstock of black tiger shrimp, or Penaeus monodon. This technical focus allowed Unima to control more stages of production, from breeding and hatchery operations to grow-out, processing, and export. Black tiger shrimp remains central to the group’s identity and product portfolio. The business became increasingly vertically integrated under the leadership of Amyne H. Ismail, Aziz Hassam Ismail’s son. Amyne H. Ismail became chief executive in 1998 and has served as president and CEO since 2014. Under his leadership, Unima developed a production network that includes a breeding and broodstock-selection center, a larvae and post-larvae facility, shrimp farms, fishing vessels, processing plants, a conditioning center in France, a software-development company, and a high-quality fish-feed factory in La Réunion. This structure gives the group control over genetics, hatchery supply, farming, processing, logistics, and selected supporting technologies. Unima has pursued international market development alongside production expansion. The company began distribution in China in 2012 and exports seafood products to international customers. Its aquaculture activities have also supplied technical and genetic inputs to other shrimp-producing regions. In 2019, Indian authorities authorized Aqualma to supply specific-pathogen-free black tiger shrimp broodstock to Indian producers seeking to revive domestic production of the species. Quality certification and environmental stewardship are important elements of Unima’s positioning. Its shrimp became the first non-European food product to receive France’s Label Rouge quality designation. The company has also obtained Ikizukuri certification in Japan and European Union organic certification. In 2016, Aqualma’s farm in Mahajamba became the first aquaculture operation in Africa to receive Aquaculture Stewardship Council certification. Unima’s sustainability programs include work with UNICEF’s WASH program from 2006 and collaboration with WWF in Madagascar on a Biodiversity Action Plan from 2007. The company reports planting more than one million mangrove trees and developing cashew-growing areas through its Verama initiative. It also states that it follows the principles of the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries. In addition, Unima was an early adopter of carbon accounting methods associated with Jean-Marc Jancovici, with support from the French Development Agency and Madagascar’s Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries. The company faced a significant operational setback in 2012 when white spot syndrome affected its shrimp activities. Unima subsequently overhauled its production process. The episode appears to have reinforced the importance of biosecurity, controlled breeding, and disease-resistant production systems in the group’s aquaculture model. Unima remains an active, privately held seafood enterprise with operations linking Madagascar, Luxembourg, France, La Réunion, and international markets.

Unima was established in 1965 by Aziz Hassam Ismail as a fishing business associated with Madagascar. In 1973, the founder acquired Les Pêcheries de Nossi-Bé, a modest shrimp-fishing company, creating a stronger base for expansion in the Malagasy seafood sector. The company subsequently developed fishing vessels, processing capacity, and international sales channels. The group’s strategic direction changed substantially during the 1990s, when it entered shrimp aquaculture. Through Aqualma, Unima established approximately 1,800 acres of aquaculture basins in Madagascar and worked on the domestication and selection of specific-pathogen-free black tiger shrimp broodstock. This investment gave the company greater control over the biological inputs required for farming and reduced dependence on external broodstock sources. Amyne H. Ismail, the founder’s son, became CEO in 1998. During his tenure, Unima developed a vertically integrated model covering broodstock selection, hatchery production, larvae and post-larvae, shrimp farming, processing, conditioning, and distribution. The group also added supporting activities, including software development and a fish-feed factory in La Réunion. A conditioning center in France supported the company’s quality and market-access requirements. Unima expanded into China in 2012, while the same year brought a serious biological challenge: white spot syndrome affected its shrimp operations. The company responded by overhauling its production process. The incident highlighted the importance of biosecurity and controlled aquaculture systems in the group’s operating model. The company has built its market position around product quality and third-party standards. Its shrimp received France’s Label Rouge designation, making it the first non-European food product to obtain that recognition. Unima has also obtained Japanese Ikizukuri certification and European Union organic certification. In 2016, Aqualma’s Mahajamba aquaculture farm became the first farm in Africa to receive Aquaculture Stewardship Council certification. Environmental and social programs have accompanied the expansion of production. Unima has participated in UNICEF’s WASH program since 2006 and worked with WWF in Madagascar on a Biodiversity Action Plan since 2007. Its reported activities include planting more than one million mangrove trees and developing cashew fields through the Verama initiative. The company also states that it applies the principles of the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fishing. It was an early corporate user of carbon-accounting methods associated with Jean-Marc Jancovici, in a project supported by the French Development Agency and Madagascar’s Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries. In 2014, Amyne H. Ismail became president and CEO. In 2019, Indian authorities authorized Aqualma to supply specific-pathogen-free black tiger shrimp broodstock to Indian producers seeking to rebuild local black tiger shrimp production. Unima continues to operate as an integrated shrimp and seafood group headquartered in Luxembourg, with core production assets and activities in Madagascar and commercial, processing, or support links across several international markets.

• 2019

  Indian authorization for SPF broodstock supply

  [1]Unimaen.wikipedia.org

  Indian authorities authorized Aqualma to supply specific-pathogen-free black tiger shrimp broodstock to Indian producers.

• 2016

  Aqualma receives ASC certification

  [1]Unimaen.wikipedia.org

  Aqualma’s Mahajamba farm became the first aquaculture farm in Africa to receive Aquaculture Stewardship Council certification.

• 2014

  Amyne H. Ismail becomes president and CEO

  [1]Unimaen.wikipedia.org

  Amyne H. Ismail assumed the combined president and CEO position.

• 2012

  China distribution and response to white spot syndrome

  [1]Unimaen.wikipedia.org

  Unima started distribution in China and overhauled its production process after white spot syndrome affected its shrimp operations.

• 2007

  Biodiversity partnership with WWF

  [1]Unimaen.wikipedia.org

  Unima began working with WWF in Madagascar on a Biodiversity Action Plan.

• 2006

  Participation in UNICEF WASH activities

  [1]Unimaen.wikipedia.org

  Unima began participating in UNICEF’s WASH program.

• 1998

  Amyne H. Ismail becomes CEO

  [1]Unimaen.wikipedia.org

  Amyne H. Ismail succeeded to the chief executive role and led Unima’s transition toward an integrated shrimp-production model.

• 1990

  Aqualma aquaculture development begins

  [1]Unimaen.wikipedia.org

  During the 1990s, Unima launched Aqualma and developed large-scale shrimp aquaculture basins in Madagascar.

• 1973

  Acquisition of Les Pêcheries de Nossi-Bé

  [1]Unimaen.wikipedia.org

  Unima acquired the small shrimp-fishing company Les Pêcheries de Nossi-Bé, strengthening its Malagasy fishing operations.

• 1965

  Unima is founded

  [1]Unimaen.wikipedia.org

  Aziz Hassam Ismail founded Unima as a fishing and seafood enterprise.

An integrated, quality-focused shrimp producer combining Malagasy aquaculture and fishing operations with controlled breeding, processing, certification, and environmental programs.

• Farmed shrimp

  Aqualma black tiger shrimp

  Aqualma is Unima’s principal aquaculture operation in Madagascar. It produces black tiger shrimp, also known as Penaeus monodon, in managed aquaculture basins. The operation is associated with Unima’s work on domesticated, specific-pathogen-free broodstock and with quality and sustainability certifications, including organic certification in the European Union and Aquaculture Stewardship Council certification for the Mahajamba farm.

• Aquaculture genetics

  Specific-pathogen-free broodstock

  Unima develops and selects specific-pathogen-free broodstock of black tiger shrimp for use in controlled aquaculture production. These biological inputs support the company’s hatchery and farming operations and have also been supplied to external producers. In 2019, Aqualma received Indian authorization to supply such broodstock to producers seeking to restore domestic black tiger shrimp production.

• Hatchery products

  Shrimp larvae and post-larvae

  Unima’s integrated production system includes a center dedicated to larvae and post-larvae. These hatchery-stage products connect the group’s broodstock-selection activities with its own farming operations and provide part of the biological infrastructure required for large-scale shrimp aquaculture.

• Seafood processing

  Processed and conditioned seafood

  Unima operates processing activities in Madagascar and maintains a conditioning center in France. These capabilities prepare shrimp and other seafood products for export markets and support the group’s quality-control, packaging, and distribution requirements.

• Animal feed

  Aquaculture feed

  The group includes a high-quality fish-food factory in La Réunion. The facility supports Unima’s broader integrated-production model by providing feed-related capabilities connected to aquaculture and seafood operations.

• 2007Biodiversity Action Plan with WWF

  Madagascar

  Unima began working with WWF Madagascar on a Biodiversity Action Plan associated with its production areas and surrounding ecosystems.

  Outcome. Reported activities include mangrove restoration and broader biodiversity-management initiatives.

  Source
• 2006UNICEF WASH program participation

  Madagascar

  Unima became involved in UNICEF’s WASH program, supporting work related to water, sanitation, and hygiene in communities connected with its operating environment.

  Outcome. The company’s participation is cited as part of its social-responsibility and community-development program.

  Source
• Mangrove restoration and Verama cashew initiative

  Madagascar

  Unima has reported planting more than one million mangrove trees and developing cashew-growing fields through the Verama initiative.

  Outcome. The projects are presented as measures supporting coastal ecosystems, biodiversity, and local agricultural development.

  Source

• 2019

  Authorization to supply SPF broodstock to IndiaStrategy

  Background

  Indian producers were seeking to revive domestic production of black tiger shrimp.

  Action taken

  Indian authorities authorized Aqualma to supply specific-pathogen-free black tiger shrimp broodstock to Indian producers.

  Aftermath

  The authorization expanded the external application of Unima’s broodstock and aquaculture-genetics capabilities.

  Source

• 2016

  Pursuit of ASC certification for AqualmaOther

  Background

  Unima sought third-party recognition for the environmental and operational standards of its shrimp-farming activities.

  Action taken

  Aqualma’s Mahajamba farm obtained Aquaculture Stewardship Council certification.

  Aftermath

  The farm became the first aquaculture operation in Africa to receive ASC certification, strengthening Unima’s responsible-aquaculture positioning.

  Source

• 2012

  Production overhaul after white spot syndromeStrategy

  Background

  White spot syndrome affected Unima’s shrimp operations and created a significant aquaculture biosecurity challenge.

  Action taken

  Unima overhauled its production process.

  Aftermath

  The response reinforced the importance of controlled production, disease management, and specific-pathogen-free biological inputs in the company’s operating model.

  Source

• 2012

  Entry into Chinese distributionStrategy

  Background

  Unima pursued international expansion for its shrimp and seafood products.

  Action taken

  The company began distribution in China.

  Aftermath

  China became one of the markets in Unima’s international distribution network.

  Source

• 1990

  Move into shrimp aquacultureStrategy

  Background

  Unima sought to expand beyond wild-catch fishing and gain greater control over shrimp production and biological inputs.

  Action taken

  The company launched Aqualma, built extensive aquaculture basins in Madagascar, and developed specific-pathogen-free black tiger shrimp broodstock.

  Aftermath

  This decision became the basis for Unima’s vertically integrated shrimp-production model.

  Source

• 2019

  Aqualma authorized to supply SPF broodstock in India[1]Unimaen.wikipedia.org

  Regulation

  The Indian government authorized Aqualma to provide specific-pathogen-free black tiger shrimp broodstock to Indian producers.

• 2012

  Unima begins distribution in China[1]Unimaen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  Unima expanded its international commercial reach by starting distribution in China.

• 2012

  White spot syndrome prompts production overhaul[1]Unimaen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  An outbreak of white spot syndrome affected Unima’s shrimp activities, leading the company to revise its production process.

1. 1Unimaen.wikipedia.org