We've just released our third benchmark report, The Snapshot 2024, which reviews the progress and performance of 30 UK seafood companies on their decapod crustacean welfare practices. In this update, our Corporate Engagement Advisor, Jane, shares insights on how the seafood industry is performing overall.
Seafood industry under pressure as supermarkets demand higher welfare for crustaceans
The good news - Leading supermarkets like Marks & Spencer, Waitrose, Tesco and Sainsbury's are cracking down on cruel practices for crabs, lobsters and prawns, as our latest benchmark report has revealed.
For the third year in a row, The Snapshot: Industry Benchmark on Decapod Crustacean Welfare assessed the welfare policies of 30 UK food companies, including all major supermarkets. From capture methods through to humane slaughter, retailers and processors alike are insisting on higher welfare standards. Two - thirds of companies improved their score since the 2023 assessment – ramping up the pressure on those who are failing to keep in step.
Marks & Spencer leads the field again as the highest scoring company, closely followed by household name processor Young’s Seafood. Other big names progress this year include Sainsbury's, Tesco, Waitrose, Ocado, Co-op, Lidl and Morrisons. However, on the flip side, the poorest performers include - once again - ASDA, ALDI, Iceland and Amazon.
Low welfare companies feeling the heat
As some companies take great strides forward on crustacean welfare, their actions only turn up the heat on businesses that are lagging behind.
The 30 companies in the report are ranked across five tiers, with Tier 1 companies showing leadership, Tier 5 few or no steps to protect crustacean welfare.
Last year, half of the companies scored less than 20% and were languishing in the bottom tier. However, there were remarkable leaps forward in 2024, with half of the companies now having climbed to Tier 3 or above.
Key areas of improved policies include:
The number of companies using electrical stunning for humane slaughter jumped from 5 to 12.
Live sales of crustaceans are being phased out - 17 companies (including most major supermarkets) now refuse to sell crabs and lobsters (up from 8 in 2023).
More companies are taking action on catch, capture methods and cruel practices like mutilations - with policies on these more than doubling.
Clearly, the message that consumers will no longer tolerate unnecessary pain and suffering is getting through to our supermarkets, resulting in a greater demand for high standards of crustacean welfare. Seafood suppliers that don’t listen will face the consequences as retailers and processors compete to provide ethical products consumers want to buy.
Marks & Spencer: Crustacean Compassion’s Welfare Leader
While we have seen significant progress by many businesses since The Snapshot was launched, one company has continued to demonstrate an as-yet unrivalled commitment to improving crustacean welfare standards year after year.
Marks & Spencer has been in the leading position since the benchmark began. Over the last three years the retailer has become a compelling voice for crustacean welfare in the seafood industry, showing, through both word and deed, a genuine desire to tackle challenges head on and lift the industry as a whole.
Achievements that set them apart:
100% of their brown crab and Australian rock lobster are electrically stunned before slaughter.
They've banned eyestalk ablation in the prawn supply chain - a cruel practice where prawns' eye stalks are removed to boost reproduction.
By 2026, they aim to electrically stun 100% of Canadian lobster, vannamei prawns and crayfish.
They aim to complete trials on humane slaughter for monodon prawns by 2026.
They actively support and commit to industry innovation to improve welfare for more species.
The continued energy, dedication and leadership Marks & Spencer has shown in this area of animal welfare has earned recognition as Crustacean Compassion’s Welfare Leader.
Seafood companies must adapt to survive
Marks and Spencer isn't the only company stepping up. Young's Seafood has now joined them in the top tier for the first time and, overall, company scores have improved across the board - with industry average jumping from 14% in 2022 to 40% in 2024.
Interestingly, seafood processors (who handle the supply chain) are generally doing more than retailers when it comes to improving welfare. So, welfare-focused companies will want to keep up the momentum and be seen to do the right thing for crustaceans, while those who fail to do the same will face tough questions.
With those retailers falling behind, we hope work together to ensure higher welfare standards for these animals retailers falling behind, we hope work together to ensure higher welfare standards for these animals.
Thanks to our supporters across all areas of society, some businesses are listening to our demands for a kinder, more ethical seafood industry. As The Snapshot 2024 reveals, business practices can and will change for the better when the motivation to do so is strong.
So, let’s keep up the pressure and push for a world where crustaceans are treated with the respect they deserve – by everybody and by every business.
A kinder, more ethical seafood industry isn't just an idea - it's happen! And with continued effort, we can ensure that crabs, lobsters, and prawns get the respect they deserve.