From Proof to Practice: What’s Next for Shrimp Welfare in 2026

Greetings from Shrimp Welfare Project!

One of the fun parts of this work is that you can sometimes feel the shrimp welfare ecosystem getting stronger.

A good question gets asked, then answered publicly.
A corporate partnership moves from conversations to commitments.
A team adds capacity to deepen its impact.

That’s what we’ve seen at Shrimp Welfare Project this January. We answered some of the industry’s most frequently asked questions in a Q&A published in Shrimp Insights, announced a new MOU with Trang Corporation and Trangs Group, and posted job openings for two Technical Field Coordinators to support our Humane Slaughter Initiative in Latin America and Asia.

💡 When I sat down to write this newsletter and started reflecting on these updates, I realized that the most exciting news to share with you this month isn’t one specific project, but rather, it’s about the bigger picture of what welfare progress looks like globally, as we move from evidence and learning into partnerships and on-the-ground implementation.

Thank you for being a part of this momentum.

See you next month!

Robin | Communications Director

We published a new Q&A in Shrimp Insights, an influential industry publication run by Global Shrimp Forum’s Willem van der Pijl and read by producers, suppliers, and seafood decision-makers across the shrimp supply chain.

Our Chief Programmes Officer Krzysztof Wojtas answers some of the most important questions about humane slaughter for shrimps, including: 

❓What does higher welfare look like at harvest?
❓Why does it matter for sustainability?
❓How can producers take practical steps to get ahead?

As humane slaughter continues to gain momentum across the shrimp value chain, Shrimp Welfare Project is here to be a supportive partner to the industry. Our goal is to make humane slaughter and higher-welfare farming practical and scalable, not just aspirational.

Vietnamese shrimp producer Trang Corporation & Dary Foods Co. and leading UK-based supplier Trangs Group recently joined our Humane Slaughter Initiative.

Trang Corporation will electrically stun 1,800 metric tonnes of shrimps per year using a stunner provided by Shrimp Welfare Project, and Trangs Group will prioritise the purchase of stunned shrimps from Trang Corporation.

The news of this partnership made a splash in trade press outlets:

• Responsible Seafood Advocate

• WeAreAquaculture

• World Fishing & Aquaculture

• Fish Farming Expert

This is the Humane Slaughter Initiative’s 25th memorandum of understanding (MOU) and our 9th MOU in Vietnam. Stay tuned for more MOU announcements in the coming weeks!

What our partners are saying:

“At Trangs Group, we believe that responsible sourcing starts with animal welfare. By joining this initiative, we ensure the prawns we supply meet the highest ethical standards, reflecting our commitment to sustainability and animal wellbeing.”
– David Ho, Trangs Group’s Global Sales Director

I’m thrilled to share that we’re hiring not one, but two Technical Field Coordinators to support our Humane Slaughter Initiative in Asia and Latin America!

These roles will be practical, field-based positions focused on the hands-on work of bringing electrical stunning equipment into day-to-day farm operations across major shrimp-producing regions.

We're currently partnering with 30 producers across Latin America, Asia, and Africa, and we're entering a pivotal phase of growth. These coordinators will bridge the gap between shrimp producers, equipment manufacturers, and our global team.

Based in Ecuador/Honduras (LatAm role) or Vietnam (Asia role), you'll travel extensively to support producers, engage new partners, and assist with research studies that refine best practices.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until positions are filled — so if this sounds like you, don't wait to apply!

In the past month, we attended:

• AVA Summit Argentina, Buenos Aires (January 30 → February 1)

In the next month, we look forward to attending:

• Sentient Futures Summit, Bay Area (February 6 → February 8)

• EA Global, Bay Area (February 13 → February 15)

This month’s media highlights:

• Year-end welfare roundup: Lewis Bollard of Coefficient Giving (formerly Open Philanthropy) included shrimp welfare progress in his “ten big wins” list ➜ Check out the full list here

• Shrimp welfare went “viral(ish)” in 2025: Vox’s year-end roundup flagged shrimp as the most-numerous farmed animals, and noted some of our stunning commitments and media moments (including The Daily Show) helped narrow the empathy gap. ➜ Read all the viral moments here

If you want to learn more about shrimp welfare and the shrimp farming industry:

• Humane slaughter in Vietnam: Vietnamese Shrimp Farmer Magazine published an article highlighting that humane slaughter is becoming a requirement instead of a “good-to-have” for producers to sell to EU markets.  ➜ Read more on page 10 (in Vietnamese)

• AI and aquatic animal welfare, explained: Rethink Priorities’ new series maps the AI tools already on the market in aquaculture, with shrimp and salmon as the top two species targets, and what that could mean for welfare. ➜ Check out the full report

• A personal exploration: In Psychology Today, Walter Veit reflects on “prawns on the platter” and asks what it means to really take shrimp minds and shrimp welfare seriously. ➜ Find his holiday-related piece here

Job opportunities in aquatic animal welfare:

• Technical Field Coordinators (LatAm / Asia) - Shrimp Welfare Project

• Senior Scientific & Policy Officer, Aquaculture - RSPCA

• Operations Associate - Fish Welfare Initiative