Long-standing debate on crustacean pain

For years, the question of whether crustaceans like crabs and lobsters feel pain has divided the scientific and culinary communities. While traditional practices like boiling these animals alive have been defended as humane due to an assumed lack of pain response, new research is challenging this belief and urging for change.

Evidence of pain in crabs

A groundbreaking study by researchers at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden provides compelling evidence that shore crabs experience and react to pain. Using EEG-style measurements, the team recorded nerve activity in the central nervous system of shore crabs when their soft tissues—such as claws, legs, and antennae—were exposed to mechanical pressure or chemical irritants.

“We could see that the crab has some kind of pain receptors in its soft tissues because we recorded an increase in brain activity when we applied a potentially painful chemical, a form of vinegar, to the crab’s soft tissues,” explained PhD candidate Eleftherios Kasiouras, a co-author of the study.

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The study, published in the journal Biology, revealed that physical stress induced a shorter but more intense pain response, whereas chemical stress produced a longer-lasting effect.

Study co-author Lynne Sneddon emphasized the ethical implications of the findings. “We need to find less painful ways to kill shellfish if we are to continue eating them. Because now we have scientific evidence that they both experience and react to pain,” Sneddon said.

The research also builds on previous studies suggesting that crustaceans react to harmful stimuli, such as mechanical impacts or electric shocks, by attempting to protect or withdraw the affected area. This aligns with the notion that crustaceans, like other animals, have evolved pain systems to avoid danger.

Implications for legislation and culinary practices

Currently, crustaceans are not protected under animal welfare laws in the European Union, leaving them vulnerable to inhumane treatment. However, this new evidence may prompt policymakers to reevaluate these regulations.

PhD candidate Kasiouras pointed out the broader implications for the culinary industry. “I don’t think we need to test all species of crustaceans, as they have a similar structure and therefore similar nervous systems,” he said, suggesting that findings from this study could apply across various species.

Ethical cooking practices in focus

As the evidence mounts, calls for reform in how shellfish are handled and cooked are gaining momentum. These findings serve as a reminder that traditional culinary practices must evolve alongside our understanding of animal welfare. The research challenges us to balance cultural traditions with ethical considerations, sparking a broader conversation about humane practices in the seafood industry.