Farmed prawns and shrimp represent a massive aquaculture sector. Growing evidence of crustacean sentience raises welfare questions about farming, handling, and slaughter practices.
Prawn and shrimp welfare represents a significant emerging welfare frontier. The scale of production combined with improving evidence of crustacean sentience means that welfare improvements in this sector could benefit enormous numbers of individuals. Current practices including extreme stocking density, eyestalk ablation, and slaughter by asphyxiation are increasingly recognized as welfare concerns. Progressive producers are exploring alternatives including controlled-atmosphere stunning, phasing out eyestalk ablation, and reducing stocking densities with demonstrated production benefits from improved survival rates.