Shrimp are among the most farmed aquatic animals globally, and evidence for nociception and stress responses makes their welfare increasingly relevant to ethical seafood choices.
Shrimp welfare is an emerging area where growing evidence of sentience intersects with one of the largest aquaculture sectors globally. Behavioral and neurological research supports the conclusion that shrimp experience nociception and stress. Common farming practices — extreme stocking density, poor water quality, and eyestalk ablation for breeding induction — cause welfare harm at enormous scale given the billions of animals involved. The Shrimp Welfare Project is working with producers to identify and implement practical improvements. Consumer awareness and purchasing decisions are beginning to create commercial incentives for welfare improvement.