Aquaculture

Farmed Prawn Welfare: Certifying Welfare in Complex Supply Chains

Overview of prawn farming welfare challenges and certification approaches in global supply chains.

Key Facts

Farmed prawns are produced across tropical Asia and Latin America
Supply chain complexity makes welfare verification challenging for buyers
Stocking density and disease management are primary welfare determinants
Ammonia and oxygen management affect prawn welfare throughout production
Welfare-conscious buyers are driving certification and audit requirements

Welfare Considerations

Farmed prawn welfare requires both on-farm standard development and supply chain verification through certification. Supply chain complexity, with multiple production countries and trading intermediaries, makes welfare assurance challenging. Progressive buyers are driving welfare improvement through audit requirements and supplier engagement. Scaling welfare standards for prawns requires both regulatory and market-driven approaches.

What You Can Do

Ask retailers and restaurants about their farmed prawn welfare and certification commitments
Support organisations developing and verifying welfare standards in prawn supply chains
Choose certified prawn products from sources with documented welfare practices