Library:Review of the evidence of sentience in cephalopod molluscs and decapod crustaceans (report)
Review of the evidence of sentience in cephalopod molluscs and decapod crustaceans is a report commissioned by LSE Consulting, which reviews the evidence of sentience in Cephalopod Molluscs and Decapod Crustaceans. The report was written by Jonathan Birch, Charlotte Burn, Alexandra Schnell, Heather Browning and Andrew Crump in November 2021.
The authors have developed a framework for evaluating the evidence for sentience in these animals based on eight criteria. The report concludes that there is very strong evidence of sentience in octopods and strong evidence of sentience in true crabs. The authors recommend that all cephalopod molluscs and decapod crustaceans be regarded as sentient animals for the purposes of UK animal welfare law. They also provide recommendations regarding commercial practices such as declawing, nicking, wholesale and retail, storage and transport, stunning, slaughter and eyestalk ablation.
The eight criteria used in the framework for evaluating the evidence for sentience in cephalopod molluscs and decapod crustaceans are:
- Learning and memory,
- Perception and cognition,
- Behavioral flexibility,
- Motivation,
- Emotion,
- Social behavior,
- Self-awareness,
- Communication.
The criteria were developed by the authors of the report through a review of the scientific literature on animal sentience. They selected these eight criteria because they are widely accepted as indicators of sentience in animals and are supported by a large body of empirical evidence. The authors also consulted with experts in the field to ensure that the criteria were appropriate and comprehensive.
The implications of this report are significant for the welfare of cephalopod molluscs and decapod crustaceans. The report provides strong evidence that these animals are sentient and therefore capable of experiencing pain, distress, and harm. As a result, the authors recommend that all cephalopod molluscs and decapod crustaceans be regarded as sentient animals for the purposes of UK animal welfare law. This would mean that these animals would be protected by the same legal protections as other sentient animals, such as mammals and birds. The report also provides recommendations for improving the welfare of these animals in commercial practices, such as banning declawing, nicking, eyestalk ablation, and the sale of live decapod crustaceans to untrained handlers.