Prawn and shrimp aquaculture is one of the world's largest seafood industries; evidence for crustacean sentience is driving welfare reform efforts across the sector.
Prawn aquaculture involves several routine practices that, in light of growing evidence for crustacean sentience, represent significant welfare concerns. Eyestalk ablation — crushing or cutting the eyestalk of broodstock females to hormonally induce spawning — causes acute tissue damage and is practiced without any anesthetic or analgesic. The procedure is widespread because it reliably increases egg production, but alternatives are being developed. High stocking density causes chronic crowding stress, fin erosion, and disease vulnerability. Killing methods including ice slurry and bisection are not validated for humaneness. Consumer pressure and regulatory change (following the UK Animal Welfare Sentience Act) are beginning to drive industry engagement with these concerns.