Examining humane slaughter methods for shrimp and the welfare implications of current commercial harvest practices.
Shrimp slaughter welfare sits at the frontier of what can practically be implemented at commercial scale given uncertainty about shrimp sentience and the volume of animals involved. Current ice slurry methods may not provide rapid insensibility if shrimp retain nociceptive capacity during the process. Electrical stunning methods developed for shrimp and prawns provide a welfare improvement that is technically feasible at commercial scale. The precautionary principle applied to shrimp welfare, given genuine scientific uncertainty, supports implementation of improvements that are practically achievable. Consumer demand for higher-welfare shrimp products creates the market signal needed to make welfare investments in slaughter methods economically viable for producers.