Sea urchin aquaculture is a growing industry raising questions about the sentience and welfare of these echinoderm species.
Sea urchins occupy an uncertain position in discussions of animal sentience. Their nervous systems are anatomically simple but they show withdrawal responses to noxious stimuli and exhibit complex behaviours. Current evidence does not strongly indicate they experience pain in a morally significant way, but the precautionary principle suggests minimising handling stress and overcrowding. Research into sea urchin welfare is limited and would benefit from increased scientific attention.