Sea urchin aquaculture is growing to meet demand for uni (roe) in Japanese cuisine and seafood markets, raising questions about appropriate welfare standards for these echinoderm invertebrates.
The welfare status of sea urchins remains scientifically uncertain, with limited research into their capacity for pain and suffering compared to vertebrates and decapod crustaceans. However, their demonstrated nociceptive responses and the precautionary approach increasingly adopted in aquaculture policy suggest that minimising potential suffering is warranted. Ensuring good water quality, appropriate density, and suitable substrates represents low-cost welfare improvement that also benefits roe quality.