Abalone are marine gastropods farmed in several countries for their high-value flesh, with welfare considerations including crowding, temperature stress, and harvest methods.
Abalone welfare in aquaculture involves species whose neurological complexity and capacity for pain experience is not well characterized. They display avoidance responses to noxious stimuli and have nociceptive systems, but whether this constitutes pain experience in a welfare-relevant sense remains uncertain. Crowding at high stocking densities reduces feeding behavior and growth, suggesting behavioral welfare costs regardless of subjective experience questions. Water quality management — particularly temperature control — is critical as abalone have narrow thermal tolerance ranges. Harvest by removing individuals from tanks and holding in low-water conditions before slaughter is a common practice that may impose welfare costs and warrants precautionary attention.