Spiny lobsters are transported live globally for food markets. The welfare implications of live transport and slaughter methods are increasingly recognised as requiring attention.
Spiny lobster welfare during live transport and slaughter has received less attention than clawed lobster welfare despite similar evidence for sentience and pain experience. Long-distance live air transport creates sustained physiological stress. Traditional slaughter methods including splitting cause prolonged suffering if decapods experience pain as evidence suggests. Electrical stunning before killing represents the most welfare-conscious slaughter method currently available and should become standard practice.