Farmed Shrimp Welfare | Animal Welfare Hub

Farmed shrimp is one of the most widely consumed seafood products globally. Welfare conditions in shrimp aquaculture involve crowding, disease pressure, and handling stress for billions of individuals.

Key Facts

Global farmed shrimp production exceeds 5 million tonnes annually
Shrimp farming is concentrated in Southeast Asia and South America
Eyestalk ablation — removing the eyestalk of female shrimp to induce spawning — is standard industry practice
Stocking densities in intensive shrimp ponds cause chronic stress and disease outbreaks
Shrimp may have capacity to experience pain based on nociceptor and behavioral evidence

Welfare Considerations

Eyestalk ablation, performed without anesthesia, removes the source of hormones that regulate molting and reproduction in female broodstock shrimp. This is performed to increase spawning frequency for commercial production. The procedure causes tissue damage and likely pain. Intensive stocking densities lead to poor water quality, disease, and antibiotic use. Growing scientific evidence that shrimp have some capacity for suffering gives welfare significance to the billions of individuals in aquaculture systems. Alternative eyestalk-free broodstock selection methods are being developed.

What You Can Do

Choose certified humane or organic shrimp products when purchasing
Advocate for eyestalk ablation to be prohibited in certified shrimp production
Reduce shrimp consumption or choose plant-based alternatives
Support research into shrimp sentience and welfare-compatible production methods
Ask retailers about the welfare standards of their shrimp supply chains