Cephalopods and Decapod Crustaceans: Their Capacity to Experience Pain and Suffering
This report provides an extensive literature review of research investigating decapod crustaceans’ and cephalopods’ ability to suffer, feel stress, and feel pain. The report highlights that these animals do, in fact, suffer and their welfare needs to be considered.
Table of Contents
- The scope of animal protection law
- The need for protection
- The assessment of capacity for suffering
- What types of evidence can show the capacity for pain and suffering? Nociception The role of opioid molecules in the regulation of pain Similarities between stress systems in vertebrates and invertebrates
- Detailed evidence regarding decapod crustaceans Nervous and sensory systems of decapod crustaceans Experience of pain and fear in decapod crustaceans Learning and behaviour of decapod crustaceans Evidence of physiological stress in catching, handling and transport
- Detailed evidence regarding cephalopods Nervous and sensory systems of cephalopods Experience of pain and suffering in cephalopods Learning and complex behaviour of cephalopods Human understanding of cephalopods
- Public policy and legislation concerning decapod crustaceans and cephalopods
- Conclusons of this review
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