Europe

UK says octopus, lobster and crab are sentient creatures that deserve protection

November 23, 2021
Henry

The report, by experts from the London School of Economics, looked at 300 scientific studies to evaluate evidence of susceptibility, and concluded that cephalopods (such as octopus, squid and cuttlefish) and decapods (such as crabs, lobsters and crayfish) should be considered in sentient beings.

Animals with vertebrate, backbones are already classified as vulnerable in new animal welfare legislation under debate in the United Kingdom.

“The Animal Welfare Sentence Bill provides an important assurance that the well-being of animals is properly considered when developing new laws. Science is now clear that decapods and cephalopods can feel pain and therefore it is fitting that they are covered by this important legislation,” said Lord Zack Goldsmith, Minister of Animal Welfare in a statement.
The bill, which is not yet law, would set up an Animal Sentence Committee, which would issue reports on how well the government’s decisions took into account the welfare of vulnerable animals. It is part of a comprehensive government action plan animal welfare.
NS report good Said lobsters and crabs should not be boiled alive and included best practices for the transport, rattling and slaughter of decapods and cephalopods,

Learning more about Cephalopods and Decapods

The report used eight different methods to measure emotion, including learning ability, the authority of pain receptors, the relationship between pain receptors and certain brain regions, and response to anesthetics. or analgesics, and behavior involving balancing against opportunity for reward and protection from injury or danger.

It found “very strong” evidence of sentience in octopods and “strong” evidence in most Crabs. For other animals in these two groups, such as squid, cuttlefish and lobster, they found the evidence was substantial but not strong.

However, the report states Varying degrees of evidence reflect disparities in the amount of attention different animals receive from scientists.

Red crabs, or ghost crabs, on Isla de la Plata, a small island off the coast of Manabi, Ecuador.

“Scientific attention for reasons of practical convenience (e.g. which animals can be well kept in laboratories) and geography (e.g. what species are available where a laboratory is located) will focus on some (animals) rather than others. Because of this situation, we think it would be inappropriate to limit protection to specific orders of cephalopods, or specific infraorders of decapods,” the report said.

recent netflix documentary “My Octopus Teacher” Demonstrated the unique abilities of the octopus. The brain structure of octopuses is very different from that of humans, but some of its functions are similar to those of mammalian brains, such as the ability to learn, be able to solve problems, and possibly the ability to Dream.

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