Cuttlefish are increasingly considered in aquaculture welfare discussions given their complex cognitive abilities and evidence of pain perception, raising important ethical considerations.
Evidence that cuttlefish experience pain and suffer from chronic stress has significant welfare implications for aquaculture. Welfare concerns include stress from confinement, social conflict in high-density systems, inadequate environmental complexity, transport injuries from their fragile cuttlebone, and inappropriate slaughter methods. The welfare needs of cephalopods are increasingly recognised in law and research.