Aquaculture

Whiteleg Shrimp Welfare 2025: Global Production Update

2025 welfare update for Litopenaeus vannamei -- the most farmed shrimp species globally.

Key Facts

Whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) accounts for the majority of global shrimp aquaculture production
Production is concentrated in China, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand
2025 welfare science confirms significant nociceptive capacity in shrimp -- they respond to and avoid painful stimuli
The UK Sentience Act 2022 recognition of decapod sentience is increasingly cited in international welfare discussions
Disease -- particularly AHPND, white spot syndrome, and EHP -- causes mass mortality events with significant welfare impact
Welfare-improving practices including lower stocking density and improved water quality are commercially viable
Slaughter methods including boiling alive are under increasing welfare scrutiny
Consumer and retailer pressure in Europe and North America is driving welfare standard improvements in supply chains

Welfare Significance

Whiteleg shrimp welfare in 2025 is at a tipping point. The scientific evidence for sentience is sufficient to warrant serious welfare consideration, and scale of production -- trillions of individual animals -- means even small per-animal improvements represent massive aggregate welfare gains. Consumer demand for welfare-certified shrimp is the most powerful driver of industry change currently available.

What You Can Do

Choose ASC-certified shrimp that include welfare provisions
Ask retailers about humane slaughter standards in their shrimp supply chains
Support the Shrimp Welfare Project in their industry engagement and research
Reduce overall shrimp consumption or shift to higher-welfare alternatives where possible