Aquatic Animals

Prawn and Shrimp Welfare in Aquaculture

Shrimp aquaculture is one of the fastest growing food sectors; welfare standards are minimal despite growing evidence of crustacean pain capacity.

Key Facts

Over 5 million tonnes of farmed shrimp are produced annually
Stocking densities in shrimp ponds can reach 200 animals per square meter
Ablation of eyestalks is used to induce faster reproduction in female shrimp
Growing evidence suggests shrimp can experience pain and distress

Welfare Considerations

Shrimp aquaculture subjects crustaceans to extreme crowding, disease, and welfare-harmful practices including eyestalk ablation — removal of eyestalks to induce reproduction in female shrimp. Evidence of crustacean pain capacity has grown substantially, and precautionary welfare approaches are warranted. Better aquaculture practices can eliminate the worst welfare abuses while maintaining production.

What You Can Do

Choose shrimp certified by schemes addressing welfare alongside sustainability
Advocate for prohibition of eyestalk ablation in shrimp aquaculture
Support research into shrimp pain capacity and welfare indicators
Reduce shrimp consumption from uncertified industrial sources