Pacific White Shrimp Welfare in 2025 Aquaculture

Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) dominates global shrimp production, with welfare concerns centred on stocking density, disease management, and eyestalk ablation practices in broodstock management.

Key Facts

L. vannamei accounts for over 80% of global farmed shrimp production
Eyestalk ablation to induce spawning in female broodstock is a widespread but welfare-concerning practice
At commercial stocking densities of 150-400 shrimp/m2, natural social and foraging behaviour is severely restricted
White spot syndrome virus remains a catastrophic disease risk causing billions in losses annually
Welfare research is advancing on shrimp nociception, suggesting they respond to noxious stimuli

Welfare Considerations

Eyestalk ablation involves physically removing or damaging the eyestalks of female broodstock shrimp to induce maturation, a procedure conducted without anaesthesia that causes direct injury and likely pain. Research into shrimp nociception has established that they respond to noxious stimuli in ways consistent with pain experience. High stocking densities prevent expression of natural behaviour and increase disease risk. The industry is under growing pressure to develop and adopt non-ablation spawning techniques, which are feasible in some genetic lines.

What You Can Do

Choose shrimp products certified to standards that prohibit eyestalk ablation in broodstock
Support aquaculture research into non-ablation maturation techniques for shrimp broodstock
Advocate for inclusion of eyestalk ablation prohibition in seafood certification standards
Engage with retailers and food service companies about shrimp welfare criteria in their sourcing policies