Tiger prawns (Penaeus monodon) are farmed across Southeast Asia with significant welfare challenges. Evidence-based improvements are possible within current production systems.
Tiger prawn welfare in intensive systems is challenged by crowding, disease susceptibility, and the precautionary welfare status of decapod crustaceans. While the scientific certainty about prawn sentience is lower than for vertebrates, the growing evidence for nociceptive processing and behavioral stress responses in decapods argues for precautionary welfare improvement in production systems.
White spot syndrome virus is the most devastating disease in tiger prawn farming, capable of eliminating an entire pond in 3-10 days. The mass mortality event itself — involving millions of dying and dead animals — represents significant welfare harm if prawns are sentient. Biosecurity measures preventing WSSV introduction are thus both economically rational and welfare-protective.