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The terms “shrimp” and “prawn” are often used synonymously in common language to refer to a variety of different species. Most belong to three different taxonomic groups: the infraorder Caridea, the superfamily Penaeoidea, and the family Sergestidae. The species that make up these three groups differ according to their location, the type of water in which they live, their size, their life cycle, and other parameters.

These animals are fished in huge quantities around the world. In recent years, however, the ethical problems associated with this industry have come under increasing scrutiny. This report summarizes these issues and suggests ways to improve the situation.

First of all, the authors pointed out that studies on shrimp sentience are recent. This is one of the reasons why these animals haven’t been given as much moral consideration as mammals or birds. But this is changing. There are now enough studies to suggest that shrimps are probably capable of feeling positive or negative experiences, with many species having pain receptors and integrative brain regions — important criteria for sentience.

Unfortunately, their fishing inevitably leads to injury and, of course, death. In particular, the authors reported that depending on the type of fishing, industrial or artisanal, shrimps can suffer from:

• Crushing by other animals caught in the nets
• Lack of oxygen
• Intense stress while trying to escape
• Abrupt changes in temperature

For those who make it to the docks to be sold to consumers, they can then be killed in iced water or boiled alive.

The Scale Of Shrimp Fishing

The number of shrimps caught each year is difficult to determine. Data on catches are generally given in tonnes, aren’t available in some countries, and don’t necessarily include bycatch. However, using the average weight of the species, it’s possible to estimate the order of magnitude of the number of individuals caught. The authors made these calculations, focusing on the 25 countries with the highest shrimp catches.

In total, they estimated that over 37 trillion shrimps are caught each year — and that’s likely an underestimate. China is thought to be responsible for 67% of shrimp catches, followed by Malaysia with 15% and Thailand with 6%. This makes shrimps the most killed animal for human food consumption on our planet.

Even though more evidence of shrimp sentience is needed, the authors argued that the suffering of these trillions of animals, repeated every year, is ethically grave and must be reduced. They proposed a number of measures to achieve this.

Improving Welfare At Capture And Slaughter

The authors recommended reducing the duration and weight of trawls while increasing their frequency. This would limit the crushing and stress of the animals in the nets. In addition, vessels could be equipped with water tanks to hold the shrimps directly rather than allowing them to suffocate on deck. To reduce suffering during the slaughter process, electric stunning equipment could be installed on vessels.

Reducing The Number Of Animals Caught

The most obvious way to reduce shrimp catches is to support the transition to a global plant-based diet. Meanwhile, the authors highlighted several means of reducing bycatch. This is huge in shrimp fisheries and can be up to 90% of the weight of the catch.

Unfortunately, simply releasing bycatch isn’t enough, as most animals are injured or die during capture. However, bycatch reduction devices are available. It’s also possible to ban trawling, which is responsible for a large amount of bycatch, or to prohibit fishing in certain areas where bycatch is high.

Pursuing Policy And Research

The authors emphasized the importance of improving fishing regulations and furthering scientific research. For example, pollution in fishing areas can be reduced to avoid wastage due to spoilage. For the same reason, general hygiene and conservation practices should be improved. The introduction of labels can also encourage more ethical practices.

In terms of research, further studies on shrimp welfare criteria is needed to identify best fishing practices. This would also lead to a better understanding of shrimp sentience, which is always beneficial as recognition of this encourages people to treat them ethically.

For most of the interventions mentioned, new technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, satellite imagery, and so on can make an important contribution.

The authors also stressed the importance of taking human rights into account. In some countries, shrimp fishing is one of the only means of subsistence for the poorest people. Conflicts can also arise between industrial and small-scale fisheries. Finally, some people are forcibly employed in fisheries, mainly in Thailand.

Advocates will find this report helpful in a variety of ways, as it offers details on key shrimp fishing regions around the world, highlights animal as well as human welfare issues associated with the industry, and provides solutions to reduce the suffering of shrimps. This information can be used to raise awareness and push for policy changes to improve the living conditions of all concerned.