Mussel farming is considered one of the most environmentally sustainable forms of aquaculture, but welfare questions about bivalve sentience merit consideration.
The welfare status of mussels and other bivalves remains scientifically uncertain. They lack a centralised brain and pain receptors comparable to vertebrates, but they do show behavioural responses to noxious stimuli. The precautionary principle suggests minimising stress during harvest and transport where practically feasible. Most welfare organisations focus limited resources on animals with stronger evidence of sentience, but monitoring scientific progress on bivalve neurobiology is warranted.