Shrimp are the most consumed seafood globally by volume, yet their welfare during farming and slaughter receives minimal regulatory attention despite emerging evidence of crustacean sentience.
Shrimp welfare represents one of the most numerically significant and neglected animal welfare issues in global food production. Billions of shrimp are farmed and slaughtered annually with essentially no welfare standards. The question of whether shrimp experience something like pain is scientifically uncertain but not resolved — crustaceans have nociceptors and show avoidance and protective behaviours consistent with pain experience. The precautionary case for improving shrimp welfare is therefore strong, particularly given the scale of production. Improving stocking densities, water quality, and introducing electrical stunning before slaughter are the most impactful near-term interventions. Consumer pressure, supply chain engagement, and regulatory advocacy are the main pathways to driving change.