Emerging evidence suggests shrimp experience nociception and stress responses, raising welfare questions for an industry producing over 5 million tonnes annually.
Shrimp welfare is one of the most pressing but least addressed animal welfare issues given the extraordinary scale of production. While scientific debate continues about the subjective experience of shrimp, the precautionary principle suggests we should minimize potentially painful practices. Eyestalk ablation of broodstock - a routine practice - represents a particularly severe procedure given the likely nociceptive capacity of crustaceans. The massive scale means that even if the probability of suffering is uncertain, the expected welfare impact is enormous.