ASC-certified farms to give their consents on discontinuing the practice of eye stalk ablation according to the newly updated shrimp farming standards

The avoidance of eyestalk ablation demands some hatcheries needs to be restructured which may require building more tanks and stocking more female shrimps.

The Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC), which is a pioneering global sustainable seafood certification group, has a vision to abolish the practice of eyestalk ablation in shrimp broodstock as per the revised certification standards that will be effective from 2025.

Eyestalk ablation is the practice of cutting or cauterizing the eyestalks of a mother shrimp to induce the reproduction. This is widely practised in the global shrimp industry.

Sophia Balod, ASC’s global press manager, reiterates that the organization has not addressed eyestalk ablation in its certification standards earlier. Measures aimed at eliminating the practice for ASC sustainability certification is in place to be implemented in the coming year.

we believe it is the best approach to successfully take producers with us and drive permanent, positive change in shrimp production across theglobe,” Balod said.

.”[This] takes time and can have an impact on costs. Some countries and producers will find it easier to make the transition, while others — especially smaller producers — will need external technical support and assistance,” Balod said.