Freshwater shrimp including Macrobrachium species are farmed across Asia and provide important protein for millions of people. Welfare improvement in these systems has significant impact.
Freshwater shrimp welfare in Asian aquaculture varies considerably with production intensity. Traditional low-density systems have inherently lower crowding stress than intensive alternatives. Male social hierarchies cause chronic welfare compromise for subordinate males. Live market requirements extend the welfare burden of holding and transport. Simple improvements to harvest methods reducing crowding duration, improving oxygenation during holding, and introducing rapid slaughter at the farm gate rather than live transport would substantially improve welfare for the large numbers of animals involved.