Aquaculture and Fish Welfare

Farmed Prawn Welfare: Biosecurity and Disease

Disease management in farmed prawns is critical for welfare and production. White spot syndrome virus and early mortality syndrome cause mass mortality events with significant welfare implications.

Key Facts

White spot syndrome virus causes mass mortalities of 90-100% in affected prawn ponds
EMS caused by Vibrio bacteria affects the hepatopancreas causing growth failure and death
Biosecurity protocols including quarantine, water treatment and pond drying prevent disease introduction
Specific pathogen free broodstock reduces disease introduction through the reproductive cycle
Immune stimulants and probiotic treatments can reduce disease susceptibility in prawn farms

Welfare Considerations

Disease events in prawn aquaculture cause mass mortality and suffering at enormous scale. Prevention through biosecurity is both more humane and more economically rational than outbreak management.

What You Can Do

Support aquaculture certification schemes that specify biosecurity standards for prawn farms
Advocate for disease transparency reporting requirements in prawn aquaculture welfare standards
Choose prawns from operations with verified SPF broodstock and biosecurity protocols