Aquaculture

Shrimp Feed Welfare: From Fishmeal to Sustainable Alternatives

How shrimp feed composition affects both shrimp welfare and the welfare of wild fish used in fishmeal.

Key Facts

Traditional shrimp feeds rely on fishmeal from wild-caught forage fish
Reduction fisheries for fishmeal catch billions of sentient fish with welfare implications
Insect meal, algae, and plant proteins are reducing fishmeal dependency
Feed quality directly affects shrimp growth, immune function, and welfare

Welfare Considerations

Shrimp feed welfare encompasses both the welfare of farmed shrimp and the welfare of wild fish caught for fishmeal. A welfare-positive feed strategy reduces fishmeal dependency through sustainable protein alternatives while maintaining the nutritional quality that supports shrimp health. Welfare-informed aquaculture prioritises feed sources that minimise the total welfare burden across the production system.

What You Can Do

Choose certified shrimp from producers with documented fishmeal reduction commitments
Support research into sustainable protein alternatives that reduce forage fish fishing
Advocate for certification schemes to include feed source welfare criteria in shrimp standards