Shrimp are among the most consumed seafood globally, yet their capacity to experience suffering is only recently receiving serious scientific attention. Welfare improvements in shrimp farming could benefit billions of animals.
Shrimp welfare has historically been entirely ignored because of uncertainty about their capacity to suffer. Emerging scientific consensus — and legal recognition in several jurisdictions — now supports that shrimp likely experience pain and other negative states. The scale of shrimp aquaculture means that even modest per-animal welfare improvements translate to enormous aggregate benefit. Key priorities include eliminating eyestalk ablation, reducing stocking densities, and developing humane slaughter protocols. Consumer awareness can drive demand for certifications that begin to address these issues.