Crayfish have become important welfare research subjects because their responses to noxious stimuli and stress are more complex than previously assumed, challenging the traditional exclusion of crustaceans from welfare consideration.
Crayfish welfare has moved from theoretical concern to active regulatory consideration faster than most invertebrate groups, partly due to compelling behavioral and neurological evidence and partly due to the UK government-commissioned Birch Review (2021) which concluded that decapods are likely sentient. The welfare implications for both aquaculture and the use of crayfish as live bait or in culinary practices are significant. While certainty about crayfish subjective experience is not possible with current science, the precautionary principle applied to sentience evidence justifies extending welfare consideration and developing humane handling and slaughter methods.