Aquaculture

Abalone Welfare in Land-based Aquaculture Systems

Welfare considerations for abalone farmed in recirculating and flow-through tank systems.

Key Facts

Abalone are herbivorous gastropod molluscs with commercial aquaculture in multiple countries
Sensitive to water temperature, oxygen levels, and handling
Escape behaviour and aggregation at tank edges may indicate welfare stress
Starvation before harvest (purging) raises welfare concerns

Welfare Considerations

Abalone welfare science is developing slowly relative to vertebrate aquaculture. Evidence of stress responses to handling and poor water quality suggests welfare considerations are relevant. Welfare-focused abalone farming maintains appropriate water temperature and oxygen, minimises handling frequency, and reconsiders pre-harvest starvation protocols. Their sentience status remains uncertain but precautionary welfare consideration is justified.

What You Can Do

Support research into abalone welfare and sentience
Choose abalone from producers with transparent welfare management practices
Advocate for inclusion of mollusc welfare in aquaculture certification frameworks