King prawn
Litopenaeus vannamei
What to check for
Location
All areas, Scotland
Production method
Closed system, RAS
Rating summary
King prawns farmed in UK recirculating aquaculture systems are a good choice. They have relatively low requirements for fishmeal and fish oil. Being that RAS is a closed-loop system, there is minimal environmental impact, or risk of escapes, disease, and predator interactions. Although currently at low production volumes, this method is well regulated and managed, but remains uncertified.Rating last updated November 2025.
Technical consultation summary
King prawns farmed in UK recirculating aquaculture systems are a good choice. They have relatively low requirements for fishmeal and fish oil, with an FFDR value estimated below 0.5, and are fed a diet inclusive of alternative and novel protein sources. Being that RAS is a closed-loop system, there is minimal environmental impact, or risk of escapes, disease, and predator interactions. Juveniles for this production system are sourced from hatcheries, so wild populations are unaffected. Although currently at low production volumes, this method is well regulated and managed, but remains uncertified.
References
BioMar, 2024. Sustainability Report. Available at: Sustainability Report | BioMar [Accessed on 10.11.2025]Cargill, 2025. Impact Report 2025. Available at: Cargill Impact Report 2025 [Accessed on 10.11.2025]Cargill, 2024. Product highlights from 2024. Available at: Product | Cargill [Accessed on 10.11.2025]Cargill, 2019. Cargill Policy on Sustainable Palm Oil. Available at: palm-oil-policy-statement-pdf.pdf [Accessed on 10.11.2025]FAO. 2009. Penaeus vannamei. In Cultured aquatic species fact sheets. Available at: FAO - Penaeus vannamei [Accessed on 10.11.2025]RASTECH, 2025. RASTECH. Available at: Rastech – Recirculating Aquaculture SCIENCE [Accessed on 10.11.2025]Skretting, 2024. Impact Report 2024. Available at: skretting-impact-report-2024.pdf [Accessed on 10.11.2025]The UK Sustainable King Prawn Project, 2025. Outputs. Available at: Outputs > The UK Sustainable King Prawn Project [Accessed on 10.11.2025]Weineck, K., Ray, A.J., Fleckenstein, L.J., Medley, M., Dzubuk, N., Piana, E. and Cooper, R.L., 2018. Physiological changes as a measure of crustacean welfare under different standardized stunning techniques: Cooling and electroshock. Animals, 8(9), p.158.Pers Comm. RASTECH. Email 23.10.2025 and 17.11.2025
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