Disease is the leading cause of economic loss and animal suffering in shrimp farming. Improving disease management has direct welfare and sustainability benefits.
Shrimp likely possess nociceptive capacity and respond behaviorally to harmful stimuli, raising welfare concerns during disease events. Infected shrimp exhibit lethargy, discoloration, loss of appetite, and erratic swimming. High stocking densities create stress and immunosuppression that increase disease susceptibility. Mass die-offs represent both a welfare and sustainability failure. Preventive welfare approaches — including appropriate stocking density, water quality management, and vaccination research — are more effective than reactive antibiotic treatment.