IGNITION researcher Isla Monaghan has recently published an article in the Aquaculture Europe magazine (Vol. 50, March 2025) exploring the role of Operational Welfare Indicators (OWIs) in shrimp farming. This paper brings attention to how welfare monitoring tools can support both ethical aquaculture and more resilient farming systems.
As global shrimp production continues to rise, so too does consumer demand for sustainably-produced seafood where animal’s welfare is considered. Isla’s article provides an overview of current OWIs used in key shrimp-producing regions, such as South America and Asia, and highlights the barriers limiting their wider adoption — from cost and lack of standardisation to limited research and awareness.
The article also showcases the work being carried out at Swansea University’s Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Research (CSAR), a partner in IGNITION project. There, Isla and her colleagues are developing a scientifically robust and farmer-friendly welfare scoring system for Litopenaeus vannamei, the world’s most farmed shrimp species. Their approach focuses on non-invasive, scalable OWIs that can be integrated into real-world aquaculture systems, including both recirculating aquaculture systems and semi-intensive farms.
This research is part of IGNITION’s broader ambition to improve animal health, welfare, and resilience in aquaculture. By developing practical tools that meet farmers’ needs, the project aims to contribute to welfare improvements that are both meaningful and implementable.
