Lobsters show clear evidence of nociception and are increasingly protected by welfare legislation, particularly regarding live boiling.
The case for lobster sentience is stronger than for many invertebrates. They show avoidance learning, have nociceptors throughout the body, release stress hormones when handled, and show prolonged protective behaviour after injury. Live boiling causes a progressive thermal death that, if conscious throughout, involves substantial suffering. Electrical stunning provides immediate insensibility before death. As legislation catching up with the science extends protection to lobsters in more jurisdictions, standards for their humane treatment in food service and aquaculture are improving.