Welfare in Farmed Decapod Crustaceans, With Particular Reference to Penaeus vannamei

Abstract

The farming of decapod crustaceans is a key economic driver in many countries, with production reaching around 9.4 million tonnes (USD 69.3 billion) in 2018. These efforts are currently dominated by the farming of Pacific whiteleg shrimp, Penaeus vannamei, which translates into approximately 167 billion farmed P. vannamei being harvested annually. Further production growth is expected in the future and hence the need for more research into its health and welfare is required. Herein, from an extensive survey of the available literature, we scrutinise farming practices and the challenges associated with the production of P. vannamei from an animal-centric welfare perspective (1), we propose potential welfare indicators (2) and we critically review current scientific evidence of sentience in penaeid shrimp among other commercially important decapods (3), since it is plausible that in the near future not only the largest, but in fact all decapod crustaceans will receive welfare protection. This review highlights that despite the wide knowledge on crustacean stress physiology and immunology as well as disease control, still little is known about some key parameters related to the five welfare dimensions. We recommend that further research should focus on developing a systematic integrated welfare assessment encompassing all the different aspects of the crustaceans farming and life cycle up to slaughter. Furthermore, direct and indirect species-specific operational welfare indicators should be developed for all decapod crustaceans currently farmed, similar to the ones suggested in this review for P. vannamei.

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“…Further risk factors like shell hardness and exposure to sludge were not as important as haemolymph protein levels in determining disease outcomes. the nutritional status of lobsters entering commercial impoundment is likely to be of importance in the outcome of this process and their general health and welfare (e.g., Albalat et al, 2019Albalat et al, , 2022.…”

An Indian Perspective on the Infection and Diagnostic Landscape of Shrimp Aquaculture

“…3 Since 2000, there has been steady growth in the farming of crustaceans, 4−6 with shrimp being regarded as the most valuable commercial crustacean in the world. 7,8 India is one of the world's largest exporters of shrimp products, 9,10 and shrimp culture plays a significant role in enhancing the country's economy due to its high export potential to the United States of America (USA), European Union (EU), Southeast Asia, Middle East, China, and Japan. 11,12 The Indian aquaculture industry has experienced steady growth over the past decade 13,14 with its export-oriented production reaching 10,56,258 million tons (MT), in 2021− 22; a significant increase from the previous year's production of 8,66,282 MT 13 (Figure 1).…”

“…Mainly, two types of aquacultures are practiced in India, viz., freshwater and brackish water. , The most cultivated aquaculture species are Catla (South Asian carp or Labeo catla ), Rohu ( Labeo rohita ), Mrigal (White carp or Cirrhinus cirrhosus ), Common carp (European carp or Cyprinus carpio ), Grass carp ( Ctenopharyngodon idella ), Catfishes- Magur (walking catfish or Clarias batrachus ), Freshwater prawn ( Macrobrachium rosenbergii ), Gray mullet ( Mugil cephalus ), Sea bass ( Centropristis striata ), Tilapia ( Oreochromis niloticus ), Tiger shrimp ( Penaeus monodon ), ornamental fishes, and Mud crabs ( Scylla serrata ) . Since 2000, there has been steady growth in the farming of crustaceans, − with shrimp being regarded as the most valuable commercial crustacean in the world. , India is one of the world’s largest exporters of shrimp products, , and shrimp culture plays a significant role in enhancing the country’s economy due to its high export potential to the United States of America (USA), European Union (EU), Southeast Asia, Middle East, China, and Japan. , …”