Growing evidence for crustacean sentience has prompted reforms in how crabs and lobsters are handled and killed, particularly following influential scientific reviews.
The legal and moral status of crustaceans has shifted significantly following robust scientific reviews of their sentience. Evidence of nociception, avoidance learning, and behavioral responses consistent with pain supports the case for humane treatment. The extension of animal welfare legislation to decapod crustaceans in the UK marks a major policy milestone. Practical reforms including electrical stunning before boiling and more humane transport and holding are increasingly being adopted by progressive retailers and restaurants.