Spiny lobsters are being developed for aquaculture in Australia, Southeast Asia, and the Caribbean, with welfare challenges specific to their complex social behaviour and sensitivity to handling.
Spiny lobsters show territorial aggression that makes group culture inherently welfare-challenging. Antenna and leg loss from fighting causes injury and impairs movement. The evidence for crustacean pain and distress from multiple species indicates that spiny lobsters likely experience negative states during rough handling, crowding, and live boiling. Aquaculture development provides an opportunity to establish welfare standards before bad practices become entrenched.