Prawns and shrimp are among the most consumed seafoods globally, farmed in enormous numbers with limited welfare protections. Growing evidence of crustacean sentience is driving calls for improved standards.
Prawn welfare represents one of the largest-scale animal welfare issues in terms of individual animals affected. The combination of high stocking densities, eyestalk ablation, disease pressure, and inhumane slaughter methods means billions of potentially sentient animals experience significant suffering annually. Welfare improvements being piloted include eliminating eyestalk ablation through selective breeding for reproductive maturity, reducing stocking densities, improving water quality management, and developing rapid chilling or electrical stunning methods for slaughter. Consumer demand for welfare-certified shrimp and regulatory mandates are the most effective levers for change.