Aquaculture

Oyster Welfare in Aquaculture Farming

Oysters are farmed in large quantities globally, and while their sentience is uncertain, welfare-relevant handling and farming practices deserve consideration.

Key Facts

Welfare Considerations

While the capacity for pain in oysters is uncertain given their simple nervous system, the precautionary principle supports minimising unnecessary stress during harvesting and handling. Temperature shock during aerial exposure may cause physiological stress. Welfare considerations in mollusc aquaculture are an active area of research.

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