Water temperature profoundly affects the welfare, growth, immune function, and pain sensitivity of farmed shrimp, making thermal management a key welfare variable.
The welfare implications of water temperature management in shrimp farming are substantial. Chronic thermal stress suppresses immune function, increasing susceptibility to bacterial and viral diseases that cause prolonged suffering and mass mortality events. Acute temperature shocks during harvesting and transport cause demonstrable stress responses. As evidence mounts for shrimp nociception, the thermal environment must be considered not just for production efficiency but as a direct welfare parameter. Certification schemes are beginning to include water quality and temperature standards as welfare indicators.