Prawn industry: Stop cutting eyes off live prawns.

Prawn farms are performing a cruel procedure on live prawns – just to make them breed faster.

Female prawns have their eye stalks cut off — usually without any pain relief. This practice, called ‘eyestalk ablation’ happens in almost all prawn hatcheries around the world, including Australia.

Why does the prawn industry cut prawns’ eyes off? 

A female prawn has a hormonal gland behind her eye that moderates reproduction, only allowing her to breed when conditions are suitable.  

The stressful and crowded conditions on farms can make prawns reluctant to reproduce. By cutting her eye, prawn farmers destroy the gland, blinding her and forcing her into rapid sexual maturity. 

Does this hurt prawns? Science indicates it does hurt – and shockingly, it isn’t necessary 

In the UK, prawns have been recognised as sentient and their capacity to experience feelings and sensations has been acknowledged by law. This decision was based on a recent report commissioned by the UK Government which called for all cephalopod molluscs (such as octopus and squid) and decapod crustaceans (such as crabs, lobsters & shrimps) “be regarded as sentient.”

A decade ago, scientists found that prawns who had their eyes cut off became disoriented, flicked their tails (an escape reflex) and rubbed the traumatised area — all behaviours associated with pain.

And this suffering prawns are forced to endure is unnecessary. Research has found that, given the right environment, female prawns will breed without having their eye cut off. Even the Global Seafood Alliance has published research stating ‘eyestalk ablation’ is not necessary – and also leads to prawn offspring being more vulnerable to disease.  

One of Latin America’s largest group of prawn farms, SeaJoy, has already phased out this gruesome procedure, and we must call on Australian prawn farms to do the same. Like all animals who have the ability to think and feel – and therefore suffer – prawns are in need of protection from cruelty across the globe.

How you can help to spare prawns from cruelty: 

• Tell decision-makers that caring Australians don’t support this horrific treatment of prawns. Send a message to the head of the Australian Prawn Farmers Association and Queensland’s Agriculture and Fisheries Minister using the form below, urging them to end the practice of cutting eyes off prawns.
   
• Fill your plate with ocean-friendly food. Understanding the reality for marine animals used by the ‘seafood’ industry is motivating more and more caring people the world over to take action – with their forks. By shifting consumer demand to kinder alternatives, we can take the pressure off the food system that led to intensive farming and practices such as ‘eyestalk ablation’. Head to our top picks of sea-inspired dishes for some mouthwatering inspiration. With simple twists on traditional recipes – from fried ‘shrimp’ to ‘fish’ and chips – you can enjoy tasty food that is kinder to animals and the ocean. For more information and a wider range of delicious recipes, order your free Veg Starter Kit today!