Shrimp hatchery welfare addresses the conditions for larval and juvenile shrimp before they enter grow-out ponds, an often-overlooked phase of the production cycle.
Shrimp hatchery welfare is a largely overlooked phase of aquaculture welfare assessment despite the enormous numbers of animals involved and the significant mortality rates typical of larval phases. The welfare implications of disease in hatcheries include mass die-off events and the suffering of diseased individuals. Antibiotic overuse in hatcheries is a welfare concern because it drives resistance that eventually compromises disease treatment capacity. Welfare-focused hatchery management prioritises biosecurity and prevention over antibiotic treatment, maintains appropriate water quality, and monitors mortality rates as a welfare indicator.