Global shrimp farming produces over 5 million tonnes annually, making it one of the largest animal industries by individual numbers. Welfare considerations across the production cycle are increasingly recognised.
Shrimp welfare is at an early but growing stage of scientific and regulatory attention. The evidence for shrimp nociception is not as robust as for fish or crustaceans, but the precautionary principle applies given the enormous numbers farmed. Eyestalk ablation - involving removal or crushing of the eyestalk to induce spawning in female broodstock - causes obvious tissue damage and pain responses. High-density stocking causes resource competition, injury from density-related stress and rapid disease spread. Post-harvest killing by live icing is likely less aversive than CO2 but research into optimal methods continues. The scale of shrimp production makes welfare improvements at even small probability of sentience morally significant.