Decapod crustacean welfare a talking point at major seafood industry conference

Crustacean welfare took centre stage at the Shellfish Association of Great Britain’s annual conference in July, despite continued resistance from parts of the trade. Our Senior Corporate Engagement Advisor, Jane, was there and encouraged to hear updates on three promising projects tackling harmful industry practices. The momentum is encouraging, but without greater investment, the sector’s high-welfare ambitions will remain out of reach. 

Before a packed audience in London, three projects tackling some of the most pressing welfare concerns in the decapod crustacean fishing sector took centre stage. From alternatives to live tailing and claw nicking to more humane approaches to slaughter, speakers at the Shellfish Association of Great Britain’s annual conference shared encouraging progress - but also a clear message: turning promising solutions into widespread practice will require sustained investment and trust that this will benefit the seafood industry as a whole.

New expert group formed to close gaps in welfare guidance

International organisation Catch Welfare Platform introduced its newly formed Crustacean Expert Group, which brings together scientists and seafood professionals.

The group is addressing gaps between the industry-led Codes of Practice for decapod crustacean welfare published in 2024 and the available scientific evidence.  Its initial focus includes capture methods and the humane stunning and slaughter of brown crab, European lobster and American lobster. Crustacean Compassion’s own Code of Practice for the Welfare of Decapod Crustaceans was also acknowledged as an important reference point for the group.

Its work comes at a crucial time. In December 2025, the UK government confirmed that live boiling is not an acceptable method of slaughtering crustaceans and committed to produce guidance on lawful, humane killing techniques. No timeframe has yet been given for that guidance. In the meantime, the expert group is looking ahead by focusing on the scientific verification and practical use of stunning technology already available on the market. This work could help turn general welfare commitments into clear, workable practices for seafood businesses.

Nephrops project stalled by funding gap 

Another presentation laid bare how a lack of investment can hold back welfare progress, even when promising technology has already been developed.  Fisheries Innovation and Sustainability (FIS) gave an update on its project to replace the live tailing of nephrops at sea with a higher-welfare alternative.

Nephrops destined for the scampi-tail market currently have their tails removed while they are still alive and conscious. This is not a humane method of killing and is likely to cause significant pain and distress.  

Working with processing-equipment manufacturer Optimar, the project has developed an electrical stunning and tailing machine suitable for use on fishing vessels. However, funding constraints have prevented the project from moving to its next crucial stage: identifying and testing a humane method of killing the animals after they have been stunned. 

FIS called for UK-wide, multi-year investment to support sea trials and complete the development of a practical solution. It also stressed that responsibility for addressing the problem must be shared across the industry, rather than falling to a single company or organisation.

Could new technology replace painful claw nicking? 

The Pot Fishing Agency presented another potentially important innovation: the Clawbinder Pro, which is due to begin field trials later this year.   The innovation has been developed to potentially replace painful and invasive claw-nicking for crabs. Used to stop crabs from fighting and injuring each other during transport and storage, the practice of claw nicking involves cutting a tendon in the claw to immobilise it. This leaves open wounds and makes crabs less able to feed and defend themselves. 

The Clawbinder Pro instead uses hot air to apply a foil-wrapped “glove” over the crab’s claw. It is designed to prevent injuries caused by fighting during transport without cutting into the animal or permanently damaging its claw.

Field trials will be an important test of whether the technology can provide the industry with an effective, practical and genuinely higher-welfare alternative.

Progress, but resistance remains

Following their presentations, representatives from all three projects took part in a panel discussion and answered questions from the audience. The conversation showed that resistance to welfare reform has not disappeared, as it was clear there was still some doubt in the room about the necessity of these innovations, with criticism aimed at NGOs for bringing inhumane practices to public attention without contributing towards innovation costs. 

But there was also  strong support for change, as others countered that improving animal welfare is not a threat to the seafood sector, but an important part of helping it remain credible, resilient and commercially successful in the future.  That distinction matters. Raising awareness of harmful practices creates the pressure and incentive for innovation, but delivering workable solutions requires shared responsibility. Government, seafood businesses, trade bodies, researchers and funders all have a role to play.

Investment essential for higher welfare future 

If successfully developed and adopted, these projects could address major sources of pain and suffering in the decapod crustacean supply chain. Giving the projects a platform at the UK’s major shellfish conference is an encouraging sign that welfare is being taken seriously by many in the seafood industry.  

But putting welfare on the agenda is only the first step. Turning promising ideas into standard industry practice will require sustained government, trade and private investment. Without that backing, unacceptable practices risk continuing. not because humane alternatives are impossible, but because they have not been given the resources needed to succeed. 

Jane, Crustacean Compassion’s Senior Corporate Engagement Advisor said of the event:  ‘It was encouraging to see practical solutions to some of the most serious welfare issues facing decapod crustaceans being discussed at the heart of the seafood industry. There are clearly both the expertise and the appetite to find better ways of doing things, but innovation alone won’t deliver change. These projects need investment, collaboration, and industry confidence to move from promising ideas to workable solutions at scale.’