Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario Annunziata, 981 68 Messina, Italy
Eva Voslarova
Department of Animal Protection and Welfare and Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, 612 42 Brno, Czech Republic
Vladimir Vecerek
Department of Animal Protection and Welfare and Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, 612 42 Brno, Czech Republic
Robert William Elwood
School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University, Belfast BT9 5DL, UK
Paolo Coluccio
Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), University of Florence-Viale Pieraccini, 6-50139 Firenze, Italy
Michela Pugliese
Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario Annunziata, 981 68 Messina, Italy
Annamaria Passantino
Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario Annunziata, 981 68 Messina, Italy
Vast numbers of crustaceans are produced by aquaculture and caught in fisheries to meet the increasing demand for seafood and freshwater crustaceans. Simultaneously, the public is increasingly concerned about current methods employed in their handling and killing. Recent evidence has shown that decapod crustaceans probably have the capacity to suffer because they show responses consistent with pain and have a relatively complex cognitive capacity. For these reasons, they should receive protection. Despite the large numbers of crustaceans transported and slaughtered, legislation protecting their welfare, by using agreed, standardized methods, is lacking. We review various stunning and killing systems proposed for crustaceans, and assess welfare concerns. We suggest the use of methods least likely to cause suffering and call for the implementation of welfare guidelines covering the slaughter of these economically important animals.
