Amphipods and isopods are increasingly explored as sustainable aquaculture feed ingredients, raising questions about the welfare of mass-produced crustacean invertebrates in feed production systems.
The welfare significance of amphipods and isopods is uncertain; their relatively simple nervous systems suggest limited capacity for pain experience, but the precautionary principle argues for minimising unnecessary suffering in mass production. Crowded culture conditions, extreme temperature or oxygen fluctuations, and rough handling during harvest may cause welfare harm. As these species are explored for large-scale production, establishing welfare-minded culture conditions and slaughter methods would align with the broader aquaculture welfare agenda, even given the uncertainty about their sentience.