Aquaculture

Whiteleg Shrimp Welfare and Biosecurity in Intensive Farming

Disease outbreaks represent both the greatest welfare and economic threat to whiteleg shrimp farming, with biosecurity practices central to prevention.

Key Facts

White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) can kill entire shrimp ponds within days
Early mortality syndrome (EMS/AHPND) caused over $1 billion in losses in Asia in 2012
Biosecure hatcheries with PCR-tested broodstock significantly reduce disease risk
Probiotics and immune stimulants are increasingly used to support health
Monoculture intensive ponds remain highly vulnerable to disease outbreaks

Welfare Considerations

Disease outbreaks in shrimp farms cause mass die-offs, representing acute welfare emergencies involving millions of individual animals. Chronic subclinical infections cause persistent stress and immune suppression. Biosecurity measures including water disinfection, SPF (specific pathogen free) broodstock, and quarantine protocols directly reduce disease incidence and associated mortality. Reducing stocking density also improves resilience to pathogen challenge.

What You Can Do

Support certified shrimp products from farms with published biosecurity protocols
Advocate for SPF broodstock requirements as welfare and sustainability standards
Encourage international development programmes to prioritise disease management training
Ask seafood suppliers about disease outbreak management policies in their supply chains