Key Takeaways:
- Crustaceans, such as prawns, lobsters, and crabs, are sentient beings that can experience fear, pain, and distress
- Scientists have found evidence that crustaceans can form relationships, learn new skills, and make decisions
- Many fishing, transport, and food preparation practices are cruel and cause unnecessary suffering to crustaceans
- Consumers can make a difference by asking questions about the origin and treatment of crustaceans, and seeking out alternatives that prioritize animal welfare
- Laws and regulations regarding crustacean welfare vary across countries and states, with some recognizing their sentience and others lacking protection
Introduction to Crustacean Sentience
Crustaceans are a staple of many festive season celebrations, particularly in Australia where millions of kilograms of prawns and lobsters are consumed each year. However, scientists are now saying that these aquatic animals are more than just a food source – they are sentient beings that can experience fear, pain, and distress. Prof Lynne Sneddon, who leads the aquatic animal welfare group at Sweden’s University of Gothenburg, explains that sentience implies an animal has the capacity for positive and negative experiences, the ability to form relationships, learn new skills, and make good decisions. There are many examples of decapod crustaceans, such as the pistol shrimp, that demonstrate these abilities.
The Complexity of Crustacean Intelligence
Studies have shown that crustaceans can learn, remember, and solve problems, despite their physical structure being different from ours. Crabs can solve mazes to find food, remember the way, and adapt to changes in the maze using trial and error. This level of intelligence and problem-solving ability suggests that crustaceans are more than just simple animals. However, their lack of facial expressions and unfamiliar appearance can make it difficult for people to engage with the idea of crustaceans having emotional lives. As Sneddon notes, "We empathise with species that look like us," and crustaceans can appear expressionless to humans.
The Question of Pain and Sentience
Robert Elwood, an emeritus professor of animal behaviour at Queen’s University Belfast, began investigating the question of pain and sentience in crustaceans 20 years ago. His experiments have revealed behaviour and stress responses consistent with pain, including crustaceans giving up valuable resources to avoid unpleasant experiences and retaining memories of noxious events. While it is difficult to prove pain and sentience in other animals, Elwood believes that the evidence suggests crustaceans are capable of experiencing pain and that they should be given the benefit of the doubt. As he notes, "Even if you can’t prove it 100%, you should give the animal the benefit of the doubt."
The Impact of Human Actions on Crustaceans
Many fishing, transport, and food preparation practices are cruel and cause unnecessary suffering to crustaceans. For example, when crabs and lobsters are placed in boiling water, they can remain conscious for more than two minutes. Territorial crabs may be strapped up with cable ties and piled on top of one another for transport or sale, and later dismembered or butchered while alive. Some prawn farms use a method called "eyestalk ablation", cutting the eyes off female prawns, which blinds them but increases spawning. These practices are not only inhumane but also affect the quality of the product, as stress can destroy the texture, flavour, and longevity of the crustaceans.
Prioritizing Crustacean Welfare
Scientists and welfare advocates say that crustacean welfare should be given a higher priority when the animals are caught, killed, or transported, used in experiments, kept as pets, and in their natural environment. Many would like to see a ban on live animal sales, exports, and boiling alive. Laws in the UK and New Zealand recognize crustacean sentience, while in Australia, protection varies across states and territories. The Australian code that governs how animals are used in science does not currently consider decapod crustaceans as animals. As Dr Ben Sturgeon, a veterinarian and chief executive of the UK-based organisation Crustacean Compassion, notes, changing public and industry attitudes to crustaceans requires a longer conversation.
Consumer Choices and Crustacean Welfare
Consumers can make a difference by asking questions about the origin and treatment of crustaceans and seeking out alternatives that prioritize animal welfare. Crustaceans sold live or fresh usually involve some sort of welfare compromise, so it is recommended to seek out alternatives where animals have been caught and killed quickly, then flash frozen. Melina Tensen, a senior scientific officer with the RSPCA, recommends being informed, supporting best practice, and never purchasing live animals. As Sneddon notes, "Just have a think about how you treat them. Think more deeply about ethical choices. When choosing them as food, find out where they’ve come from, what they’ve gone through." By making informed choices, consumers can help promote more humane treatment of crustaceans and reduce unnecessary suffering.
