Traditional craft industries that use animal-derived materials including shells, bones, and insect products have variable welfare implications depending on sourcing and production methods.
Traditional craft animal welfare varies enormously by material. Tortoiseshell products from hawksbill sea turtles — one of the most endangered species on Earth — represent both a severe welfare and conservation harm. Lac insect use in traditional lacquerware involves death of insects at scale with uncertain but potentially significant welfare costs given emerging sentience evidence. Mother-of-pearl from bivalve aquaculture represents lower welfare risk given bivalve sentience uncertainty and the viability of aquaculture sourcing. Consumers of traditional crafts should research the animal welfare and legal status of materials in products they consider purchasing and prefer synthetically or sustainably sourced alternatives where available.