Shrimp Welfare Project Celebrates Historic Humane Slaughter Collaboration with Apex Frozen Foods and Fisherman’s Choice

For Immediate Release — June 13, 2025

Contact: press@shrimpwelfareproject.org

Shrimp Welfare Project’s Humane Slaughter Initiative will have a broader global reach to improve the welfare of millions of farmed shrimps thanks to a new partnership with Apex Frozen Foods and Fisherman’s Choice.

Apex Frozen Foods, a leading Indian seafood producer, has committed to use an electrical stunner to help render shrimps unconscious during the harvesting process. 

The stunner – made by Optimar and granted to Apex by Shrimp Welfare Project – is expected to impact 1,800 metric tonnes of shrimps per year, ensuring they are treated more humanely throughout the production cycle.

Fisherman’s Choice, a Netherlands-based importer and supplier of shrimp and seafood products, has also agreed to prioritize the purchase of stunned shrimps from Apex Frozen Foods. Fisherman’s Choice is affiliated with the major quality standards and stunning shrimp aligns with the vision for a more humane and sustainable shrimp industry.

Shrimp Welfare Project’s Humane Slaughter Initiative provides electrical stunners made by Optimar or Ace Aquatec to aquaculture operations at minimal or no cost. This partnership is the program’s 18th memorandum of understanding (MoU), and the second MoU in India.

“The global shrimp industry is transitioning toward humane slaughter and higher welfare practices, and Shrimp Welfare Project is honored to provide electrical stunners to we can help animals experience minimal stress and pain across the supply chain,” said Krzysztof Wojtas, Shrimp Welfare Project’s Chief Programmes Officer. “By collaborating with corporate partners like Apex Frozen Foods and Fisherman’s Choice, Shrimp Welfare Project helps shrimp producers, suppliers, and retailers offer ethically farmed shrimps to consumers worldwide.”

For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact Robin Goist at press@shrimpwelfareproject.org. 

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Shrimp Welfare Project is a global NGO guiding the shrimp farming industry towards higher welfare practices for a more sustainable and ethical future. We support producers, suppliers, and retailers in their transition to more humane methods through our Corporate Engagement programme, focusing on Humane Slaughter and Eyestalk Ablation-Free initiatives. We conduct farmer outreach through the Sustainable Shrimp Farmers of India (SSFI) and contribute to research on shrimp welfare and responsible aquaculture. Learn more at ShrimpWelfareProject.org.