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Shrimp Welfare Project

Shifting Tides: Major Milestones in Shrimp Welfare

Greetings from Shrimp Welfare Project!

As summer slowly turns to fall for many of us, change is something we’re excited to share.

Not only are we celebrating two newly signed MOUs that set new standards in shrimp welfare through commitments to the Humane Slaughter Initiative, but also retail giants like Tesco and Sainsbury's are making waves in the shrimp welfare movement. Tesco's latest Farmed Decapod Crustacean Welfare Policy outlines their commitment to 100% electrically stunned farmed shrimps by 2026, while Sainsbury's has committed to trialling electrical stunning for their shrimp supply chain with full rollout expected by the same year. These collaborations showcase an industry-wide shift towards more ethical aquaculture and shrimp farming practices.

In addition to these milestones, we’re thrilled to announce that as part of our SSFI initiative, SWP has reached a significant achievement—completing sludge removal across 70 acres!

Have a great week!

Léa | SWP Communications Lead

 

Tesco Farmed Decapod & Crustacean Welfare Policy

“The current policy is the result of this process and we recognise the valuable contributions from our suppliers, Crustacean Compassion, the Shrimp Welfare Project, Aquatic Life Institute and World Wildlife Fund in articulating our commitments for Farmed Decapod Crustaceans.”

As part of their Tesco Welfare Approved (TWA) standards, Tesco has committed to ensuring that 100% of their farmed Penaeus vannamei (whiteleg shrimps) will be electrically stunned by 2026—a significant move towards more humane and sustainable farming practices. 

Additionally, Tesco is targeting 100% ablation-free broodstock in their supply chains by 2026 for Penaeus vannamei and 2027 for Penaeus monodon (tiger shrimps). Finally, Tesco prohibits the sale of live decapod crustaceans in stores and online, further reinforcing their dedication to improving decapod welfare.

 Find out more 
 

Sainsbury’s Commitment on Fish & Shellfish Welfare

On August 28th, Sainsbury's announced a robust welfare policy covering both wild-caught and farmed aquatic animals, including decapod crustaceans like shrimps. As a long-time advocate for higher welfare standards, including going 100% ablation-free, Sainsbury’s is working closely with industry experts, including SWP, to ensure the humane treatment of marine life across their supply chain, which impacts 3.3 billion shrimps per year.

According to this policy, Sainsbury’s has committed to the following:

“In collaboration with [SWP] and our partner supplier, we are trialling electrical stunning with all our fresh and frozen shrimp farmers and collaborating with Stirling University to verify this method at which point we will roll out fully to all our source shrimp farms, estimated end of 2026.”

This collaboration is an essential step towards improving the welfare of farmed shrimps.

 Find out more 
 

Two Newly Signed MOUs

In a major step forward for shrimp welfare, Grupo Lamar, one of South America's leading shrimp producers, will adopt humane electrical stunning technology via Optimar and eliminate harmful practices like eyestalk ablation. Likewise, Labeyrie Fine Foods, a long-standing advocate for responsible food production, has agreed to prioritise stunned shrimps from Grupo Lamar.

This partnership underscores their commitment to sustainable shrimp farming, combining responsible feeding practices and advanced health and disease management protocols.

Read more here

 

We are equally thrilled to announce another MOU with Thuan Phuoc Seafoods and Trading Corporation (Thuan Phuoc Corp.), a top Vietnamese seafood exporter. By joining the Humane Slaughter Initiative, Thuan Phuoc Corp. is set to integrate humane electrical stunning into their production chain, furthering their efforts in sustainable farming and biosecurity. 

Alongside, Labeyrie Fine Foods and LP Foods have committed to prioritising stunned shrimps in their supply chain from Thuan Phuoc Corp., which reflects a growing industry shift towards ethical shrimp farming.

Read more here

 

And the Organisation of the Month Goes to…

We’re excited to share that SWP was featured as the Farm Animal Coalition's (FAC) Organisation of the Month! This recognition highlights our unwavering commitment to improving shrimp welfare and sustainability in the global shrimp farming industry.

In their feature, FAC dives into our pioneering efforts, including the Humane Slaughter Initiative, which provides electrical stunners to shrimp farms at little to no cost, and outreach initiatives like Sustainable Shrimp Farmers of India (SSFI) that further demonstrates our comprehensive approach to driving change in the industry. Additionally, FAC showcased SWP’s impact: helping around 2.3 billion shrimps each year in countries like Honduras, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka.

 Find out more 
 

Events

In the past month, we have had the pleasure of attending the following events: 

  • EAGxToronto in Toronto, Canada (August 16 → August 18)

  • Vietfish International Seafood Exhibition in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (August 21 → August 23)

  • Global Shrimp Forum in Utrecht, Netherlands (September 3 → September 5)

  • CARE Conference 2024 in Warsaw, Poland (September 12 → September 15)

Additionally, we look forward to attending the upcoming events: 

  • Asia Farm Animal Day in Hanoi, Vietnam (October 9 → October 11)

  • SWP team retreat (Shrimp-posium) in Vietnam (October 14 → October 18)

  • EA Global in Boston, United States (November 1 → November 3)

 

Dive Deeper

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

  • Tamil Nadu Dr. J. Jayalalithaa Fisheries University presented SWP stocking density research to a group of farmers

  • Hilton Foods produced their first crustacean welfare policy

  • Featured study that aims to foster ethical aquaculture practices involves international collaboration between Tra Vinh University, SWP, Aquaglobal Veterinary Consulting, and a local partner, Chau Phi Fisheries Joint Stock Company

  • Session recordings from September’s Aquatic Life Conference are now available

  • Faunalytics held a remote research symposium on improving the welfare of often-overlooked species in aquaculture and beyond, which included a presentation by Hannah McKay (Rethink Priorities) titled “Putting a Cap on Animal Exploitation: Shrimp Aquaculture as a Case Study”

  • SWP was previously spotlighted in Animal Charity Evaluators’ newsletter

Job opportunities in aquatic animals:

  • Behaviour, Environmental Enrichment and Welfare of Tiger Prawn Broodstock PhD - Charles Darwin University, Australia

  • Aquaculture Expert - Fish Welfare Initiative

  • Human Resources Manager - Fish Welfare Initiative

  • Program Associate - Fish Welfare Initiative

  • Expression of Interest, China Program - Fish Welfare Initiative

 
Shrimp Welfare Project
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