Rationale 4.2

Many aquatic animals are sentient beings that can feel and experience pain, stress and anxiety. While the question of the sentience of crustaceans is still being discussed, keeping them in good health and welfare is a responsible practice that supports them to adapt to their surroundings, boosts productivity, prevents the spread of disease and reduces reliance on chemicals with potentially negative environmental effects. Handling activities and slaughter are major factors in the welfare of farmed aquatic animals. If not carried out appropriately, they can lead to stress and overall suffering.103103Pedrazzani, A. S., Cozer, N., Quintiliano, M. H., Tavares, C. P. d. S., da Silva, U. d. A. T., & Ostrensky, A. (2023). Non-Invasive Methods for Assessing the Welfare of Farmed White-Leg Shrimp (Penaeus vannamei). Animals, 13(5), 807. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13050807

Maintaining good health and welfare in aquaculture production includes consideration of a wide range of practices and conditions. Key aspects include disease detection and response, feeding practices, appropriate handling of aquatic animals and monitoring of water conditions.8787Ashley, P. J. (2007). Fish welfare: current issues in aquaculture. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 104(3-4), 199-235. Best practices in the slaughter of crustaceans include the implementation of responsible stunning and killing methods to ensure that there is rapid loss of consciousness, which is not regained before killing.104104Pedrazzani, A. S., Cozer, N., Quintiliano, M. H., Tavares, C. P. d. S., da Silva, U. d. A. T., & Ostrensky, A. (2023). An effective management plan and site-specific handling plans can help avoid mortality events, demonstrating commitment to responsible aquaculture practices.

This Criterion focuses on farming, handling, and slaughter practices by ASC-certified farms to support good crustacean health and welfare, including training, monitoring, veterinarian oversight, and development of a site-specific Health and Welfare Management Plan (HWMP).

Intent – The aquaculture industry ensures good health and welfare, humane handling and slaughter practices of cultured crustaceans.