Prawn farming is one of the most significant tropical aquaculture industries, with welfare concerns relating to crowding, disease management, and slaughter of potentially sentient animals.
High stocking densities cause chronic stress indicated by elevated haemolymph glucose and suppressed immunity. Disease outbreaks cause mass mortality events involving potentially prolonged dying. Slaughter typically involves ice slurry chilling without prior stunning. The growing scientific evidence for decapod sentience supports welfare improvements throughout the production chain.