Aquaculture

Welfare of Farmed Freshwater Prawns

Giant freshwater prawns are farmed extensively in Southeast Asia; their welfare in intensive ponds shares concerns with marine shrimp including crowding and inhumane practices.

Key Facts

Giant freshwater prawns are the third most farmed crustacean globally
Farming at high density causes significant aggressive injury between prawns
Males develop aggressive polymorphisms that cause welfare problems in intensive culture
Slaughter methods rarely include pre-stunning despite evidence of prawn sentience
Freshwater prawn farming is expanding rapidly in tropical regions

Welfare Considerations

Freshwater prawn welfare mirrors that of marine shrimp with similar crowding, aggression, and inhumane slaughter challenges. The Shrimp Welfare Project and similar organizations are developing standards that would apply to freshwater species as well.

What You Can Do

Support Shrimp Welfare Project expansion to freshwater prawn species
Advocate for pre-stunning requirements in crustacean slaughter regulations
Reduce freshwater prawn consumption from operations without welfare standards
Choose crustacean alternatives from lower-welfare-impact aquaculture systems