Decapod crustaceans including crabs and lobsters are increasingly recognised as sentient, raising serious welfare concerns about live boiling and other slaughter methods.
If decapod crustaceans are sentient - as the scientific review underpinning their legal recognition suggests - then live boiling causes significant suffering through prolonged thermal exposure before death. The availability of rapid, effective stunning devices makes continued live boiling ethically unjustifiable when alternatives exist. Improving slaughter welfare for crabs and lobsters represents an achievable and significant welfare advance.