Crustaceans like crabs, lobsters and shrimp are now recognised by many scientists as capable of experiencing pain. This has significant implications for how they are handled, transported and killed.
The sentience of crustaceans has moved from scientific debate to regulatory recognition in several jurisdictions. The physiological and behavioural evidence for pain-like experiences in decapod crustaceans is now substantial: they have nociceptors, show protective responses to noxious stimuli, learn to avoid painful locations and show stress hormones following injury. Lobsters and crabs boiled alive show escape responses for up to three minutes — consistent with significant distress. Electrical stunning renders crustaceans insensible rapidly and humanely. For farmed shrimp, the scale of production and absence of welfare standards means trillions of animals are raised and killed under conditions that would be considered unacceptable for vertebrates. The regulatory momentum following the UK Sentience Act is gradually pushing welfare consideration into commercial practice.