Sea urchin aquaculture is expanding to meet demand for roe. As with other echinoderms, welfare considerations are emerging alongside growing production.
Sea urchin welfare science is at an early stage, but their behavioural responses to damaging stimuli warrant precautionary consideration. Larval rearing at high density may cause crowding-related growth suppression. Abrupt temperature or salinity changes cause stress responses. The requirement for high-quality algal feed means nutritional welfare is closely linked to production system quality. As aquaculture expands, developing welfare indicators appropriate to echinoderm physiology would allow more evidence-based management standards.