The deep-water rose shrimp is an important target species in Mediterranean trawl fisheries, with welfare considerations emerging alongside aquaculture development interest.
Deep-water rose shrimp welfare in wild capture fisheries involves the acute welfare impacts of trawling - rapid decompression as animals are hauled from depth, air exposure on deck, and crowding in catch bags. The pressure change from deep-water capture can cause barotrauma similar to that seen in demersal fish. As with all shrimp species, the growing evidence base for crustacean nociception makes these capture-induced welfare impacts increasingly relevant. By-catch welfare impacts from Mediterranean demersal trawling are substantial, with charismatic and welfare-relevant species including sea turtles, dolphins, and seabirds regularly taken. Sustainable fishing practices that reduce by-catch also reduce associated welfare harms.