Farmed shrimp face significant welfare challenges including high stocking density, disease, and inhumane slaughter; science-based standards are emerging.
Shrimp welfare remains highly uncertain given debates about decapod crustacean sentience, but the precautionary principle supports improving conditions for animals that may be capable of suffering. High-density production with poor water quality, unmanaged disease, and indiscriminate slaughter methods impose costs that could be reduced without major production impacts if welfare is prioritised.