Prawns and shrimps are farmed in enormous numbers worldwide, yet their capacity for suffering is only now being scientifically examined and welfare standards remain largely absent.
Prawn farming raises major welfare concerns at every stage. Larval rearing at extreme densities causes stress and disease. Eyestalk ablation (removing one eye to induce spawning) is performed without anesthesia and is painful. Stocking densities in grow-out ponds are often far above what allows normal behavior. Harvest methods — sudden temperature drops, crowding, air exposure — cause significant suffering. The Shrimp Welfare Project is developing evidence-based standards. Consumer demand for certified humane shrimp remains a powerful lever.