Mangrove crabs play essential ecological roles in coastal ecosystems, and their welfare is threatened by habitat destruction and overharvesting.
Mangrove crabs show behavioral responses to harmful stimuli consistent with nociception. Their harvesting often involves manual collection that can cause injury through limb loss. Live transport and storage in crowded conditions causes sustained stress. Cooking methods rarely consider crustacean welfare. Loss of mangrove habitat forces crabs into smaller areas and degraded conditions. Their welfare matters both individually and as ecological contributors.