Aquaculture

Shrimp Farming Water Quality Welfare

Water quality management in shrimp farming directly impacts shrimp welfare and disease prevalence.

Key Facts

Poor water quality is the leading cause of shrimp mortality on farms
Low dissolved oxygen causes stress and mass die-offs
Ammonia buildup from waste causes gill damage and physiological stress
Biofloc technology improves water quality while reducing feed inputs

Welfare Considerations

Shrimp in aquaculture with poor water management experience physiological stress from hypoxia, elevated ammonia, and harmful algal blooms. Chronic suboptimal conditions compromise immune function and increase disease susceptibility. Improved water management is both a welfare and a productivity imperative.

What You Can Do

Support shrimp certified to BAP or ASC welfare standards
Advocate for water quality standards in shrimp aquaculture regulations
Prefer biofloc or recirculating system shrimp where available
Reduce shrimp consumption from poorly certified sources