World cultured shrimp production increased from 0.4 million metric tons (MMT) in 1990 to about 0.8 MMT in 1999, or about 25 to 30% of total shrimp supply. Increased production was well below 1.2 MMT predicted 10 years earlier. The primary reason for this shortfall was shrimp disease, which effected shrimp yields worldwide. The most serious diseases were viral, for which there are still few certain solutions. As a result of shrimp disease problems, pond culture practices changed to reduce disease incidence. These changes included: use of specific pathogen free (SPF) and specific pathogen resistant (SPR) shrimp seed; reduced or zero water exchange during pond growout; shrimp culture at inland locations away from coastal influences; use of water recycling and reuse growout systems; development of biosecure systems to prevent disease access during shrimp's entire culture cycle; development of probiotics and immunostimulants to reduce disease susceptibility; and genetic selection and improvements through closed, life-cycle culture. In addition, environmental awareness and concerns about shrimp culture sustainability became increasingly important with the informed public during the 1990s. This included concerns about habitat degradation and destruction, reduced biodiversity, and exotic shrimp introductions. Herein we review developments with these culture innovations and environmental issues that have occurred during the last 10 years.