Shrimp is the world's most consumed seafood by value, and emerging welfare certification addresses stunning before slaughter, stocking density, and water quality in response to growing evidence of crustacean sentience.
If shrimp have capacity to experience pain - which accumulating evidence suggests is possible - the scale of welfare concern in shrimp production is enormous given the billions killed annually. Boiling alive or CO2 exposure without prior stunning causes prolonged suffering if shrimp are sentient. High-density farming with poor water quality causes chronic physiological stress. The emerging field of shrimp welfare science is developing indicators, stunning methods, and farming standards that could dramatically reduce suffering in this vast industry. Consumer and retailer engagement with shrimp welfare is an important lever for accelerating this development.