Shrimp welfare at harvest is among the least-studied areas of aquaculture, with billions of animals potentially experiencing significant stress and pain through common slaughter practices.
The welfare status of farmed shrimp at harvest is genuinely uncertain given scientific debates about crustacean sentience, but the precautionary principle and the enormous numbers involved justify taking potential shrimp welfare seriously. Ice slurry immersion without prior anesthesia may cause prolonged distress if shrimp are sentient. Electro-immobilization methods that reduce neural activity before ice immersion are technically feasible and are being studied as more humane alternatives. Consumer and regulatory attention to shrimp slaughter welfare could catalyze industry adoption of better practices.