Aquaculture

Farmed Shrimp Disease Management Welfare

Disease is the primary cause of shrimp farming mortality and welfare suffering, with Early Mortality Syndrome and White Spot Disease causing mass die-offs requiring ethical management protocols.

Key Facts

Early Mortality Syndrome (EMS) caused by Vibrio bacteria has devastated Asian shrimp production
White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) causes 100% mortality within days of outbreak
Disease prevention through biosecurity is far preferable to reactive treatment
Prophylactic antibiotic use in shrimp farming is widespread and drives antimicrobial resistance
Specific pathogen free (SPF) broodstock from certified facilities reduces disease risk

Welfare Considerations

Shrimp disease causes mass mortality events that involve enormous suffering. Prevention through biosecurity and SPF broodstock is both the welfare and commercial imperative.

What You Can Do

Support certification schemes requiring SPF broodstock and disease monitoring
Advocate for antibiotic stewardship standards in shrimp aquaculture certification
Raise awareness of shrimp disease welfare impacts in seafood purchasing decisions
Support research into disease-resistant shrimp genetics without welfare trade-offs