Shrimp Welfare Certification: What to Look For

How shrimp welfare certification is developing and what consumers should understand when choosing certified shrimp products.

Key Facts

Shrimp is the most consumed seafood globally by volume, with the majority farmed in Southeast Asia
Current major certifications focus primarily on environmental and social standards rather than animal welfare
Shrimp Welfare Project has developed welfare assessment criteria that are beginning to influence certifier standards
Welfare-relevant parameters include stocking density, water quality, slaughter method, and antibiotic use
ASC shrimp standards are being revised to incorporate more animal welfare requirements

Welfare Considerations

Shrimp welfare certification is at an early stage compared to welfare certification for vertebrates. The scale of shrimp production — over 4 million tonnes annually — means that even small welfare improvements affect enormous numbers of animals. The challenge is that welfare standards for shrimp lag behind the science on shrimp sentience, which increasingly supports the view that these animals have the capacity for pain-like experiences. Developing and strengthening certification standards that address stocking density, water quality, and slaughter methods represents a high-priority, tractable welfare intervention. Consumer demand for welfare-focused certification is one of the levers that can drive this change.

What You Can Do

Choose shrimp carrying ASC certification where available, as the most recognised scheme with some welfare content
Support Shrimp Welfare Project's work to develop and strengthen welfare standards for farmed shrimp
Reduce overall shrimp consumption and ask retailers to commit to welfare improvements in their supply chains
Engage with ASC and other certifiers to express consumer demand for stronger shrimp welfare standards
Follow the development of shrimp welfare science and certification to make more informed purchasing decisions