Abalone: Welfare in Global Aquaculture 2025

Key Welfare Facts

Abalone are molluscs farmed primarily in South Africa, Australia, and China for high-value seafood markets.
Sentience evidence for abalone as gastropod molluscs is limited, but nociception has been demonstrated in related species.
High-density tank culture causes competition for substrate and algal feed, creating welfare challenges.
Water temperature management is critical; thermal stress causes immune suppression and disease susceptibility.
Poaching pressure on wild abalone has driven aquaculture expansion, potentially reducing wild welfare impacts.
Slaughter practices including live cooking or freezing without prior anaesthesia represent precautionary welfare concerns.

Welfare Assessment

Abalone welfare applies the precautionary principle to a species where sentience evidence is uncertain. Supporting welfare-conscious farming practices, including humane handling and slaughter, reduces potential suffering while welfare science advances.

What You Can Do

Apply precautionary welfare consideration when handling abalone during farming and processing
Support research into abalone sentience and nociception to inform welfare standards development
Choose aquaculture abalone over wild-harvested products for sustainability and traceability reasons
Advocate for inclusion of gastropod molluscs in emerging aquaculture welfare regulatory frameworks