Decapod Aquaculture Welfare Advances

Shrimp and prawn aquaculture involves billions of animals annually. Welfare improvements are advancing but regulatory frameworks are inadequate.

Key Facts

Global shrimp aquaculture produces over 6 million tonnes annually
Shrimp are legally recognised as sentient in the UK following the London School of Economics review
Stocking density in shrimp ponds affects aggression, oxygen depletion and disease susceptibility
Eyestalk ablation to induce spawning is routine in many shrimp hatcheries and causes pain
Cold stunning for shrimp is not reliable - ice slurry is considered inadequate for stunning
Electrical stunning systems for shrimp are being developed but not yet widely adopted
The Shrimp Welfare Project is working with producers to improve conditions in major producing countries

Welfare Considerations

Shrimp welfare presents a scale challenge unlike almost any other animal welfare issue. The number of individual animals in global shrimp production is enormous, and even if individual welfare impact is modest, aggregate suffering is vast. The welfare improvements most available - reducing eyestalk ablation, improving stocking density management, and developing effective pre-slaughter stunning - would benefit billions of animals. Supporting the Shrimp Welfare Project is a high-leverage welfare action.

What You Can Do

Support the Shrimp Welfare Project through donations to fund welfare improvement in shrimp supply chains
Ask shrimp suppliers about their eyestalk ablation practices and stunning protocols
Choose certified welfare-positive shrimp products where available
Reduce shrimp consumption overall and prioritise the most welfare-assured sources