Aquaculture Welfare

Farmed Shrimp CO2 Stunning

As evidence for shrimp sentience grows, the welfare implications of shrimp slaughter methods including CO2 and hot water are receiving greater attention from researchers and some producers.

Key Facts

Shrimp show avoidance responses and nociceptor activity suggesting pain capacity
UK law now includes decapod crustaceans in animal welfare protection
CO2 before ice slurry is used by some higher-welfare producers for shrimp
Most commercial shrimp are still killed by ice or ice slurry without prior stunning
Consumer demand for higher-welfare shrimp products is growing but supply is limited

Welfare Considerations

Shrimp welfare at slaughter is an emerging frontier where regulatory frameworks are ahead of industry practice. As evidence for decapod sentience strengthens and legislation extends welfare protection to shrimp, slaughter methods will require reassessment and improvement at significant scale.

What You Can Do

Support producers who use pre-stunning before shrimp slaughter
Learn about the evidence for shrimp sentience and current welfare standards
Advocate for humane slaughter requirements for farmed shrimp