Shore crabs and other crustaceans are increasingly recognized as candidates for sentience. Growing evidence of nociception and learning is reshaping ethical and regulatory frameworks for crustacean welfare.
The inclusion of crustaceans in sentience legislation represents a significant shift in how society considers invertebrate welfare. The scientific evidence, while still developing, provides reasonable grounds for applying the precautionary principle: where there is credible evidence of nociceptive experience, unnecessary suffering should be minimized. This has immediate practical implications for cooking practices, live transport, and aquaculture. Consumer choices and regulatory standards both play important roles in reducing crustacean suffering.