The Global Seafood Alliance (GSA) announced that by 2030, all shrimp facilities certified to Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) must end eyestalk ablation and the sourcing of shrimp postlarvae from hatcheries that use the practice.
Eyestalk ablation, the pinching, cauterizing or surgical removal of a broodstock female shrimp’s eyestalk, is a breeding technique that prompts the spawning process and has been a standard practice in shrimp hatcheries for nearly four decades. The eyestalk of a shrimp contains a complex of glands that influence molting, sexual maturation and egg production.
For the past several years, GSA has funded research and collaborated with partners to identify alternatives to eyestalk ablation and assess the challenges of transitioning to ablation-free shrimp farming. Last year, they shared survey results on the industry's readiness for adopting alternative methods and the primary obstacles to achieving that goal.
As a result of these collaborative efforts, GSA has decided to ban the practice of eyestalk ablation by the end of 2030 and will work closely with BAP-certified producers and industry stakeholders in the lead-up to achieve this goal.
Mike Kocsis, CEO of GSA mentioned: “The years of rigorous due diligence conducted by the GSA team and by our valued external shareholders give us confidence that BAP-certified shrimp facilities will be able to successfully make the transition to non-ablated shrimp production within five years.” In addition, Kocsis said: “While it may be challenging for some producers, eyestalk ablation should no longer be considered best practice in shrimp aquaculture. Animal health and welfare, alongside environmental responsibility, food safety, and social accountability, are key pillars of BAP standards. These standards evolve to reflect the latest knowledge on aquaculture’s impact, an industry growing in importance with the global population and climate change.”
GSA considers that as aquatic animal welfare research and knowledge have matured, shrimp eyestalk ablation has emerged as an issue that the industry can and should solve through innovation and collaboration. Some retailers and consumers have been calling for an end to the practice.
Kocsis added: “GSA stands ready to support the global aquaculture industry at all times and be a resource for shrimp farmers everywhere who need assistance making this historically important transition.”
Nowadays, there are currently nearly 1,900 shrimp farms and 150 shrimp hatcheries around the world with an active BAP certification, producing nearly 800,000 tons of shrimp annually. Globally, there are more than 4,000 BAP-certified farms, hatcheries, and processing plants for all seafood products combined.
