Abalone farming is a growing aquaculture sector. This page examines what the science says about abalone sentience and welfare considerations.
Abalone welfare is a genuinely uncertain area. As molluscs, abalone have simpler nervous systems than vertebrates, but they do possess nociceptors and show protective behavioral responses to harmful stimuli. Whether these responses involve subjective suffering remains debated. However, the precautionary principle suggests some attention to abalone welfare is warranted, particularly regarding temperature stress, stocking density, and slaughter methods. The aquaculture industry has largely not engaged with welfare questions for abalone, representing an opportunity for leadership from more progressive producers.