Bivalves such as mussels, oysters, and clams are widely harvested, and while their sentience is uncertain, welfare considerations are increasingly discussed.
The question of bivalve sentience remains unresolved, but the precautionary principle suggests that where doubt exists, unnecessary suffering should be minimized. More immediately, bivalve harvesting methods differ substantially in their environmental impact, with bottom dredging causing seabed habitat destruction affecting many other species whose welfare is less contested. Rope-cultured bivalves have a lower environmental footprint and are generally considered a more sustainable choice regardless of how the sentience question is resolved.