King crabs are caught by commercial fishing in Alaskan and Russian waters, with welfare concerns about live holding, transport, and processing methods for these large, long-lived crustaceans.
King crabs transported and held live experience stress through handling, confinement, and disrupted feeding. Live boiling causes a prolonged period of nociceptive response before death. Given their large body size, long lifespan, and neurological complexity, king crabs represent a particularly significant welfare concern among commercial crustaceans. Their commercial value makes welfare improvement economically feasible through premium certification.