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Close the Loophole

Despite being legally recognised as sentient and able to feel pain, animals like crabs, lobsters and prawns (decapod crustaceans) still endure significant suffering in the food industry. They're boiled alive, dismembered, transported or stored in overcrowded tanks, and worse.

But you can help.

We're urging the government to Close the Loophole that allows such treatment to continue. We want to see all decapod crustaceans included in the Animal Welfare Act, which will create a duty of care to protect these animals from unncessary suffering and set up steps that must be taken to ensure their welfare needs are met.

Please take action now:

Every year, 420 million decapod crustaceans (crabs, lobsters, prawns and crayfish) are caught by UK vessels. Of these, 337 million are nephrops - more commonly known as langoustines or scampi.​

Despite being legally recognised as sentient and able to feel pain, these animals routinely have their tails ripped off (to be served as scampi) whilst alive and full conscious. Such treatment is possible due to a “loophole” in legislation that fails to protect these sentient animals.

Please call on the government to protect these vulnerable animals in the existing Animal Welfare Act and for each of the UK nations to end this cruelty by issuing guidance for fishing vessels.

Orange hermit crab in a textured shell standing on sand

Your donation can help protect crabs, lobsters, shrimp and other decapod crustaceans from unnecessary suffering.

Crab stands atop a rock in front of a purplish grey sky with both claws raised in the air

We’ll keep you up to date with the latest campaign news, appeals and ways you can take action to protect decapods.

You can find our privacy policy here, and you can unsubscribe from our mailing list by telling us at info@crustaceancompassion.org

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