Farmed shrimp are produced in enormous numbers with virtually no welfare consideration, yet growing evidence of nociception and stress responses is reshaping the welfare conversation.
Farmed shrimp welfare represents one of the most significant gaps in current animal welfare consideration: billions of animals are produced under conditions that make no concession to their potential capacity to suffer. Eyestalk ablation causes acute damage to a sensitive structure and is performed routinely without any anaesthesia or analgesia on broodstock females. Stocking densities in intensive ponds can be extremely high, causing chronic stress and disease. Slaughter without stunning means shrimp may remain conscious for extended periods. The Aquatic Life Institute and Shrimp Welfare Project are working on evidence-based welfare guidelines, and some retailers are beginning to require welfare commitments from shrimp suppliers — a nascent but growing movement.