Scallops are among the most widely farmed bivalves globally, and emerging research raises important questions about their capacity to experience suffering.
The welfare status of scallops is one of aquaculture's most debated questions. While they lack the complex nervous systems of vertebrates, scallops possess sensory and behavioral complexity that exceeds simple reflex responses. Their escape swimming in response to predators, light detection with functional eyes, and rapid valve closure when threatened suggest a capacity for aversive experience. Farming stressors include overcrowding in cages or on lines, mechanical vibration during handling and harvest, osmotic shock from freshwater exposure, and air exposure during sorting. Boiling alive — the most common preparation method — may cause suffering if scallops have nociception. The precautionary principle supports minimizing unnecessary handling stress and adopting rapid kill methods pending further research.