Shrimp Welfare and Global Aquaculture

Farmed shrimp represent one of the largest animal welfare issues by number, with hundreds of billions produced annually under conditions that include eyestalk ablation, high stocking densities, and poor slaughter practices.

Key Facts

Global shrimp aquaculture production exceeds 5 million tonnes annually, worth over USD 40 billion
Eyestalk ablation, the removal of female shrimps' eyestalks to accelerate reproduction, is standard practice in much of the industry
Research suggests shrimp can learn from experience and show avoidance responses to noxious stimuli
The Shrimp Welfare Project estimates that up to 440 billion farmed shrimp may be sentient enough to experience suffering
Wild shrimp trawling has bycatch ratios of up to 10 kg of non-target species per kilogram of shrimp

Welfare Considerations

Shrimp welfare involves fundamental uncertainty about sentience that nonetheless warrants serious consideration given the scale of production. Eyestalk ablation, which destroys glands producing hormones that regulate moulting and reproduction, is a mutilation causing clear tissue damage and potential pain. High stocking densities cause aggression and injury among confined animals. Slaughter methods for shrimp, typically by submersion in ice water, are unstudied for humaneness. The precautionary principle and scale of shrimp production make this one of the highest-priority areas for improving standards.

What You Can Do

Support the Shrimp Welfare Project which advocates for improved welfare standards in shrimp aquaculture
Reduce shrimp consumption or choose certified products from farms that have banned eyestalk ablation
Contact major supermarkets requesting welfare standards for shrimp procurement
Advocate for shrimp to be included in animal welfare legislation given emerging evidence of sentience