King prawn

Litopenaeus vannamei

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What to check for

Location

All Areas, All Areas

Production method

Pond, semi-intensive

Rating summary

Production of King prawns (L. vannamei) in Ecuador and Honduras relies upon both marine and terrestrial feed ingredients in commercial feeds produced by well-established, global feed companies. The environmental impacts are well managed and mangrove destruction for the construction of prawn ponds is no longer taking place in Ecuador and Honduras. Chemical usage is also minimal, as are effluent outputs, and surrounding prawn populations are not impacted by disease or escapes. However, there is a lack of data on welfare and humane slaughter practices. Management and regulation of the sector also needs to be better resourced to ensure effectiveness and environmental impact assessments should be required for small farms, as well as large, to account for cumulative impacts.Rating last updated January 2025.

Technical consultation summary

Production of King prawns (L. vannamei) in Ecuador and Honduras relies upon both marine and terrestrial feed ingredients in commercial feeds produced by well-established, global feed companies. The environmental impacts are well managed and mangrove destruction for the construction of prawn ponds is no longer taking place in Ecuador and Honduras. Chemical usage is also minimal, as are effluent outputs, and surrounding prawn populations are not impacted by disease or escapes. However, there is a lack of data on welfare and humane slaughter practices. Management and regulation of the sector also needs to be better resourced to ensure effectiveness and environmental impact assessments should be required for small farms, as well as large, to account for cumulative impacts.

References

Sustainable swaps

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King prawn
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