Growing Awareness Sparks Change in Seafood Welfare Practices
The outdated and inhumane methods of killing crabs and lobsters such as boiling alive, live dismemberment, and freezing while conscious are being rejected by leading supermarkets, including Marks & Spencer, Waitrose, and Sainsbury’s. However, while some retailers have made significant progress, others continue to permit cruel practices, ignoring mounting public concern.
Industry Divided on Decapod Welfare
Since the legal recognition of decapod crustaceans as sentient beings in 2022, seafood producers and retailers have faced increasing pressure to improve welfare standards. The newly released Snapshot Report 2024 by Crustacean Compassion highlights both progress and shortcomings in the industry. Some retailers and seafood processors have implemented humane practices, while others still allow animals to suffer unnecessarily.
Dr Ben Sturgeon, CEO of Crustacean Compassion, acknowledges that improvements have been made but stresses that many companies are not acting fast enough.
“We have seen meaningful strides since our first report in 2022, with some seafood processors now outperforming retailers on welfare standards. However, the continued use of cruel practices such as boiling, freezing, and mutilation—demonstrates that many companies remain indifferent. The best in the industry have shown that humane treatment is achievable. Others must follow, or risk damaging consumer trust.”
Public Demands Higher Welfare Standards
Consumer awareness and expectations are shifting. According to a 2025 YouGov poll, a significant majority of the public supports improved welfare measures:
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71% believe a duty of care should apply to owners of crustaceans.
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75% advocate for humane slaughter methods.
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70% support stricter regulations on transport and killing.
This data underscores a clear message: consumers expect responsible treatment of all animals in the food supply chain, and companies failing to meet these expectations risk losing business.
Leaders vs Laggards: Who’s Taking Action?
Several major retailers have stepped up:
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Marks & Spencer, Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, and Tesco have made tangible improvements by enforcing humane stunning before slaughter.
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More than two-thirds of companies assessed in the 2024 report have improved their welfare scores since 2023.
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Young’s Seafood and Whitby Seafoods have demonstrated strong commitments to higher welfare standards.
However, some of the industry’s largest names continue to neglect this issue. ALDI, Amazon, ASDA, and Iceland remain among the lowest-ranked companies, showing little to no effort in improving crustacean welfare.
Dr Sturgeon warns: “Companies refusing to change risk losing consumer trust. People expect all supermarkets to uphold the highest standards for animal welfare. Those ignoring this issue may soon find themselves out of favour.”
Marks & Spencer Leads the Way
Marks & Spencer has emerged as a leader in seafood welfare, with continuous improvements since 2022. Linda Wood, Aquaculture & Fisheries Manager at M&S, emphasises the company’s commitment: “We maintain the highest animal welfare standards in the industry. This year, we’ve collaborated with multiple partners to drive innovations that improve the treatment of all decapod crustaceans in our supply chain. The progress we’ve made in a short period is encouraging, but there is more to do. The industry must work together to drive further change.”
The Call for Change
Crustacean Compassion is urging the seafood industry to take immediate action by:
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Banning cruel practices such as live boiling, claw clipping, and live dismemberment.
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Implementing humane stunning to prevent prolonged suffering.
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Enhancing transparency by requiring retailers to report welfare policies.
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Ending live sales of crabs and lobsters, a move already adopted by many leading retailers.
Time to Act
Dr Sturgeon concludes: “The Snapshot Report 2024 demonstrates that positive change is happening but it is not happening fast enough. Some companies have proven that higher welfare standards are possible, so there are no excuses for those refusing to act. The seafood industry must evolve and leave cruel practices behind.
We urge supermarkets and seafood producers to step up and create a responsible, ethical seafood industry one that respects people, animals, and the planet.”