Aquaculture

Farmed Shrimp: Billions of Animals, Minimal Welfare Standards

Shrimp aquaculture is one of the fastest-growing protein sectors globally, producing over 5 million tonnes annually — with virtually no welfare standards applied to these highly numerous animals.

Key Facts

Global shrimp aquaculture produces over 5.5 million tonnes per year
Shrimp have nociceptors and show protective responses to painful stimuli
Eyestalk ablation — removing one eye to induce spawning — is universal practice in hatcheries
Stocking densities in intensive ponds cause chronic hypoxia and ammonia stress
Shrimp Welfare Project is the leading organization developing evidence-based welfare standards

Welfare Considerations

Eyestalk ablation without anaesthesia on billions of females annually is a massive welfare harm if shrimp can experience pain — evidence suggests they likely can. Chronic hypoxia causes distress. Disease outbreaks in intensive systems cause mass mortality that is economically costly but also represents enormous suffering. The scale of shrimp production means small welfare improvements have enormous aggregate impact.

What You Can Do

Reduce shrimp consumption from non-certified intensive aquaculture
Support Shrimp Welfare Project research and industry engagement
Advocate for animal welfare legislation to explicitly include decapod crustaceans
Ask seafood retailers about their supplier's shrimp welfare standards