Using the same method as that used to estimate farmed fish numbers, the numbers of decapod crustaceans killed in recorded aquaculture production in 2017 have been estimated as follows:

• 43-75 billion^* crayfish, crabs and lobsters
• 210-530 billion^* shrimps and prawns.

Details of the estimate are available for global production and by country and by species.

In comparison with the 2015 estimate, numbers of crayfish, crabs and lobsters have increased by 34-44% since 2015 when they totalled 30-56 billion, and shrimps and prawns have increased by 14% since 2015 when they totalled 190-470 billion.

Welfare issues in crustacean farming include inhumane methods of killing, live marketing and long distance transport. Breeding stock of shrimp and prawn species are subjected to eyestalk ablation to increase egg production. See Welfare of crustaceans.

 

 

* rounded to 2 significant figures.