January 10, 2025, 9:22 am | Read time: 2 minutes
Shrimp are extremely popular in Germany. On average, 2.4 pounds per person are consumed here each year. They are also a popular addition to many people’s festive plates at Christmas time. However, very few people know this: In commercial shrimp farming, it is a common practice to remove the eyes of female breeding shrimp.
The term “eyestalk ablation” describes a common and controversial practice in commercial shrimp farming. The eyes of female shrimp are deliberately cut off in order to speed up their reproduction. This allows them to be more effectively utilized for breeding. 1
Eyestalk Ablation Alters the Hormone Balance
“A hormone called gonadal inhibitory hormone (GIH) is produced in the eyestalks of shrimp, which prevents the ovaries from maturing,” explains Dr. Tanja Breining, biologist and expert on aquatic animals at the animal rights organization Peta. “By removing the eyestalks, the production of this hormone is stopped, which in turn increases egg laying and thus also the profit of the breeders.” In concrete terms, this means that eyestalk ablation stimulates egg production so that more shrimp can be born and sold.
However, eyestalk ablation is an extremely painful procedure for the animals, says the expert. The eyestalks of the shrimp are cut off on one or both sides with small scissors or scalpel blades, usually without anesthesia! In some cases, however, the eyes are also burned off. “Studies show that shrimps react to the procedure by twitching and trying to escape. After the procedure, they rub the mutilated area, become disoriented and react aggressively.”
Shrimps Can Certainly Feel Fear and Pain
The biologist acknowledges that the consequences for the affected animals are devastating. Although the shrimps are not completely blind after this procedure, they are exposed to increased stress due to their impaired vision. “Infections can also occur after the procedure, weakening the shrimp’s health and leading to an early and higher mortality rate.”
Various studies have shown that shrimps and other decapod crustaceans can feel pain and fear, explains the expert. “In a study published in November 2024, researchers from the University of Gothenburg describe for the first time that crustaceans respond to painful stimuli with clear neuronal reactions in the brain. This study provides further strong evidence that crustaceans feel pain.”2
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“This Has to Stop!”
Animal rights activists have, therefore, been calling for a ban on this practice for some time. The German Animal Welfare Association states: “This must stop! These practices are yet another example of how animals are treated as mere commodities in industrial production. There are alternatives that are kinder to animals, but unfortunately, profit often takes precedence over animal welfare.”3