Aquatic invertebrates including shrimp, crabs, lobsters, and cephalopods have been increasingly recognised as potential welfare subjects requiring consideration.
Legal recognition of decapod and cephalopod sentience in the UK creates obligations to consider their welfare in commercial contexts. Pre-slaughter stunning, appropriate transport conditions, and handling practices that minimise stress reflect the evidence for their capacity to suffer. The scale of crustacean use in the food industry means that welfare improvements have potential impact on billions of individuals.