Aquaculture

Farmed Shrimp Stocking Density and Disease Welfare

Intensive shrimp aquaculture at high stocking densities drives disease outbreaks that cause mass mortality and welfare problems.

Key Facts

White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) can kill entire shrimp ponds within days of introduction
High stocking densities facilitate pathogen transmission between shrimp
Early mortality syndrome (EMS) caused by Vibrio parahaemolyticus devastated Asian shrimp farming in 2012-2013
Biosecure indoor recirculating systems reduce disease risk but have higher welfare management demands
Antibiotic overuse in shrimp aquaculture contributes to antimicrobial resistance concerns

Welfare Considerations

Mass mortality from disease in intensive shrimp ponds represents enormous potential suffering if shrimp are sentient. Regardless of sentience uncertainty, disease prevention through appropriate stocking density and biosecurity is economically rational and welfare-precautionary. Reducing dependence on antibiotics through improved husbandry protects human health as well.

What You Can Do

Choose shrimp from certified biosecure production systems
Support welfare research on disease stress in farmed shrimp
Advocate for stocking density limits in shrimp aquaculture certification schemes
Support antibiotic reduction programmes in shrimp aquaculture