Aquaculture

Arctic Shrimp Welfare in Northern Capture Fisheries

Welfare considerations for Pandalus borealis caught in Norwegian and Canadian fisheries.

Key Facts

Arctic shrimp are the most important commercial shrimp in northern fisheries
They are hermaphroditic — starting life as males before becoming females
Trawl capture involves crowding, temperature change, and crushing injury
Sentience research on pandalid shrimp is limited compared to penaeid species

Welfare Considerations

Arctic shrimp welfare in capture fisheries involves the same concerns as other trawl fisheries — crowding, pressure changes, and injury during capture. As pandalid crustaceans, their sentience is uncertain but warrants precautionary consideration. Welfare-informed fishery management minimises time from capture to killing, optimises trawl design to reduce crushing, and avoids extended periods in crowded vessels.

What You Can Do

Support research into crustacean welfare in northern capture fisheries
Choose Arctic shrimp from certified sustainable fisheries with documented handling practices
Advocate for welfare assessment requirements in MSC and other fisheries certification frameworks