Farmed shrimp are produced in enormous quantities with minimal welfare consideration, yet growing evidence suggests they have the capacity for stress and suffering.
Shrimp welfare is one of the most contested areas in animal welfare science due to ongoing debates about the nature of their experience. However, the precautionary principle suggests attention to conditions that minimize stress responses, especially given the enormous numbers involved. Eyestalk ablation causes physiological stress responses and is an invasive procedure performed without pain management. High-density ponds show elevated disease rates and social stress indicators. The absence of regulation for shrimp welfare creates a significant gap given the scale of production.