Farmed Shrimp Welfare and Aquaculture Standards

Shrimp are the most traded seafood product globally by value, but their welfare in intensive aquaculture systems receives little attention despite growing evidence of nociceptive capacity and the scale of animals involved.

Key Facts

Global shrimp aquaculture produces over 5 million tonnes annually, involving billions of individual animals
Eyestalk ablation — removing one or both eyestalks to induce maturation in breeding females — is standard in hatcheries and causes clear distress
High stocking densities in intensive shrimp ponds drive disease outbreaks requiring prophylactic antibiotic use
Shrimp show defensive responses to noxious stimuli and learn to avoid painful locations, meeting basic nociception criteria
The Shrimp Welfare Project is the primary organisation focused on improving farmed shrimp welfare standards globally

Welfare Considerations

Shrimp welfare is one of the most impactful welfare issues by scale — the numbers involved dwarf even broiler chicken production. Yet welfare consideration for shrimp is minimal in certification schemes, regulatory frameworks, and consumer awareness. The most immediate welfare improvements available are eliminating eyestalk ablation, reducing stocking density to reduce disease and aggression, and adopting humane slaughter methods. The Shrimp Welfare Project provides a focal point for advocacy and industry engagement.

What You Can Do

Support the Shrimp Welfare Project through donation and awareness-raising about farmed shrimp welfare
Reduce shrimp consumption as part of broader aquatic animal welfare consciousness
Advocate for eyestalk ablation to be prohibited in all shrimp aquaculture certification schemes
Engage seafood suppliers and retailers with questions about shrimp welfare standards in their supply chains