Aquaculture

Farmed Shrimp Welfare in Biosecure Systems

Super-intensive biosecure shrimp farming reduces disease exposure but creates high-density welfare challenges requiring active management.

Key Facts

Super-intensive shrimp systems stock at 400-1000 animals per square metre
Disease outbreaks including EMS and WSSV have devastated conventional open pond farming
Biosecure indoor systems eliminate wild pathogen exposure but increase crowding stress
Water quality management becomes critical at extreme stocking densities
Shrimp welfare indicators are emerging as sentience evidence strengthens

Welfare Considerations

Very high stocking densities in biosecure systems create welfare challenges even as disease risk reduces. Chronic crowding stress, competition for resources, and impaired natural behaviour are welfare costs that must be balanced against disease prevention benefits.

What You Can Do

Support development of shrimp welfare standards addressing stocking density
Advocate for welfare outcome monitoring in biosecure shrimp systems
Choose certified shrimp products from producers with welfare commitments
Learn about shrimp sentience research and its implications for farming standards