Tiger Shrimp Welfare in Asian Aquaculture

Tiger shrimp production in South and Southeast Asia involves intensive pond systems with growing welfare scrutiny over stocking density, disease, and eyestalk ablation.

Key Facts

Penaeus monodon is the second most important farmed shrimp species globally after P. vannamei
Production is concentrated in Thailand, Vietnam, Bangladesh, and Indonesia
Eyestalk ablation of female broodstock is practiced to induce maturation and spawning
White spot syndrome virus and early mortality syndrome cause catastrophic production losses and mass mortality
Tiger shrimp tolerate a wide range of salinities, enabling production in diverse coastal environments

Welfare Considerations

Tiger shrimp welfare mirrors many concerns common to Pacific white shrimp aquaculture, with the additional focus on eyestalk ablation as a particularly welfare-significant practice. Eyestalk ablation involves removing the eyestalk of female broodstock to remove inhibitory hormone production and accelerate reproductive cycling. The procedure is performed without anaesthesia and causes tissue damage and removal of an important sensory organ. Growing evidence for crustacean nociception suggests this is a painful procedure causing significant welfare harm. Disease outbreaks causing mass mortality represent both welfare and production failures. Several major certification schemes are beginning to require phase-out of eyestalk ablation as a minimum welfare standard.

What You Can Do

Support certification schemes requiring elimination of eyestalk ablation in shrimp aquaculture
Choose shrimp from sources that do not use eyestalk ablation in broodstock management
Advocate for extension of crustacean welfare protections to major producing countries in Asia
Stay informed about welfare improvements in shrimp aquaculture and reward progressive producers