Disease outbreaks are the leading cause of mass mortality in farmed shrimp, causing immense individual suffering and enormous economic losses. Prevention through better farm management is the primary solution.
Disease-caused mass mortality in shrimp farming is a welfare crisis of staggering numerical scale. WSSV infections cause shrimp to become lethargic, stop feeding, and die over days in conditions that, if shrimp are sentient, represent significant suffering. The progression from infection to death involves progressive organ failure and behavioral deterioration observable as reduced swimming, surface crowding for oxygen, and loss of avoidance responses. Prevention through improved biosecurity, lower stocking densities, and SPF broodstock programs is both economically and potentially welfare-superior to allowing disease cycles to continue. The welfare case for improved shrimp disease management is compelling regardless of where one sits on the question of shrimp sentience: precautionary action to reduce mass mortality events is warranted.