A key opportunity for dedicated shrimp farmers worldwide - free electric stunners

Shrimp farming is under increasing pressure as consumers and markets demand more ethical and sustainable practices. Meeting these high welfare standards while maintaining product quality is a challenge for shrimp farmers worldwide. At Optimar, we are proud to support initiatives that address these challenges with innovative solutions like the Optimar Electric Stunner, in collaboration with our leading partners.

Leading the way in ethical shrimp farming

The Shrimp Welfare Project, one of our key partners, is at the forefront of this movement, pioneering the distribution of free electric stunners to large-scale shrimp farms that meet specific criteria. This initiative aims to distribute 24 humane electric stunners worldwide by the end of 2025. These state-of-the-art stunners are designed to render shrimp insentient rapidly, significantly reducing stress and improving overall welfare.

Supporting humane shrimp farming

The Shrimp Welfare Project announced, "To qualify for this opportunity, shrimp producers must commit to stunning a minimum of 1,800 tons of shrimp per year and demonstrate a dedication to improving welfare practices to the best of their abilities."

This initiative highlights the growing recognition within the aquaculture industry of the need for humane slaughter methods, especially as traditional techniques, such as immersion in ice-water slurry, face increasing criticism for being inhumane. Optimar AS partnered with the Shrimp Welfare program in 2023 and has already had many joint projects.

"We are really impressed by how the team has raised awareness about the welfare of shrimps in the slaughtering process" says Mårten Jørgensen, Optimar Sales Manager.

"Collaborating with Optimar has enabled us to successfully implement humane slaughter practices on several farms already, with even more projects currently underway. We are very pleased with the progress we’ve made and the valuable insights we’ve gained from producers already using the stunners."

Krzysztof Wojtas, Chief Programmes Officer at Shrimp Welfare Project

A major step towards sustainable practices

With over 400 billion shrimp farmed annually, the adoption of electric stunning marks a crucial step toward more humane and sustainable shrimp farming. The Shrimp Welfare Project has already made significant strides, providing stunning equipment to producers in Latin America and Southeast Asia. At Optimar, we believe that innovation and collaboration are the driving forces behind positive change in the seafood industry. Together, we can help shape a more ethical and sustainable future for shrimp farming.

Get involved today

If you are a shrimp farmer or producer interested in receiving a free electric stunner, this is your chance to improve your practices and align with global sustainability standards. Contact us now to learn more about participating in this transformative project.

About Optimar AS

Optimar is a global leader for automated fish processing systems for use on board fishing vessels, on land and in aquaculture. These systems are installed as turnkey projects, either independently or in connection with third-party products. Moreover, as a full-service provider, Optimar offers complementary software products and services – from remote diagnostics and online service through to spare parts, maintenance, and retrofitting.

Contact us to find out more about how you can participate in this great project