Thailand is one of the world's largest shrimp producers. Welfare improvements in Thai prawn aquaculture are significant for both animal welfare and sustainable seafood certification.
Shrimp welfare has historically been overlooked due to uncertainty about sentience, but evidence now supports decapod crustaceans as sentient beings capable of experiencing pain and distress. In intensive Thai systems, high stocking densities, poor water quality, disease outbreaks and slaughter methods (live chilling, boiling alive) all pose welfare risks. The Shrimp Welfare Project works specifically on improving conditions in Thai and global shrimp farming. Welfare-focused certification is growing but still covers a minority of production.