Freshwater mussels are among the most endangered animals in North America, and their welfare needs as filter feeders raise novel questions for conservation aquaculture.
Freshwater mussel conservation raises an emerging welfare consideration: as we develop aquaculture techniques to breed endangered mussels for reintroduction, we should consider whether these animals have experiences that matter morally. Current evidence suggests mussels have limited nervous systems unlikely to support complex sentience. However, the precautionary principle suggests minimizing unnecessary harm during aquaculture procedures while focusing primary welfare attention on the fish and other animals involved in their life cycles.