Every year, more than 420 million crabs, lobsters, nephrops (langoustines), prawns and shrimp (decapod crustaceans)are landed by UK vessels into UK ports, with a further 5 billion imported from overseas. These animals – now legally recognised as sentient – face numerous welfare compromises throughout the 'sea to plate’ journey.
The new report, ‘Sea-to-Plate: The Welfare Journey of Decapod Crustaceans’, takes a much-needed, comprehensive look at the welfare concerns at each stage of the journey, spanning capture, mutilations, transport, stunning, and eventual slaughter. Underpinned by an extensive list of scientific evidence and growing public interest in the welfare of aquatic animals, this report will be a vital resource for stakeholders hoping to take these issues further.
Encouraged by the positive feedback we have received so far, Crustacean Compassion are committed to demanding more for decapods at every stage of the supply chain and to stopping cruel practices such as live dismemberment and boiling.
By providing not only a detailed review of the entire ‘sea to plate’ journey but also a set of recommendations designed to improve welfare outcomes for the many millions of decapod crustaceans impacted every year, there is now no excuse to further delay their protection in both policy and practice.
The report was launched at a parliamentary reception where we were joined by MPs, academics, DEFRA, and fellow NGOs to discuss the impact of this report and next steps for decapod crustacean welfare in the UK.
A huge thank you to everyone who has engaged with the report so far and who attended our parliamentary launch event. A special thanks to Conservative MP for Chatham and Aylesford, Tracey Crouch CBE, and Labour MP for Leeds North West, Alex Sobel, for their cross-party political support and to our co-author Dr Julia Wrathall whose scientific expertise has helped develop a thorough understanding of decapod crustacean welfare.
You can take action now by sharing our new report far and wide, or by subscribing to our mailing list.
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