Farmed prawns are among the most widely consumed seafood globally, yet their slaughter method — typically live chilling or ice slurry — is under scientific and welfare scrutiny.
The welfare status of farmed prawns at slaughter is contested but increasingly taken seriously by researchers and regulators. The precautionary principle suggests that if there is a reasonable possibility of suffering, slaughter methods should be designed to minimise it. Ice slurry causes a gradual decline in motor function but the duration and nature of the process raises concerns about distress. More humane alternatives — including electrical stunning, CO2 narcosis, and percussive methods — are being evaluated. The scale of prawn farming means that even modest improvements in slaughter welfare could reduce an enormous amount of potential suffering. Consumer and retailer pressure is beginning to drive welfare improvements in supply chains.