Aquaculture

Farmed Shrimp Welfare and Stocking Density

The welfare implications of stocking density in shrimp aquaculture and evidence for density thresholds.

Key Facts

Shrimp welfare at high density includes increased aggression, competition, and disease
Optimal stocking density varies by species, water quality, and management system
Mortality increases significantly above welfare-compatible stocking thresholds
Better Shrimp programme has established welfare standards for farmed shrimp
Prawn sentience research is growing with increasing evidence of nociception

Welfare Considerations

Given growing evidence of shrimp nociception and the billions of shrimp farmed globally, welfare-conscious stocking density standards represent an important protection.

What You Can Do

Choose shrimp certified under Better Shrimp or similar welfare schemes
Advocate for stocking density standards in shrimp aquaculture regulation
Support research into shrimp sentience and welfare assessment