It’s peak crab season in the Chesapeake Bay
region, a place historically known for its blue crabs. But Vibrio, a dangerous bacteria, has sickened nine people.
region, a place historically known for its blue crabs. But Vibrio, a dangerous bacteria, has sickened nine people.
The crab meat linked to the Vibrio outbreak
was imported from Venezuela. Now you’re probably wondering why Maryland, a
state known for its blue crab, imports crab meat from South America. Well, it’s
because overfishing and runoff from nearby chicken factory farms
decimated the Chesapeake Bay’s blue crab populations.
was imported from Venezuela. Now you’re probably wondering why Maryland, a
state known for its blue crab, imports crab meat from South America. Well, it’s
because overfishing and runoff from nearby chicken factory farms
decimated the Chesapeake Bay’s blue crab populations.
But the risk of Vibrio isn’t the only reason
you should stop eating crabs. You see, many people think crabs don’t feel pain, but this couldn’t be further from the
truth. And sadly, these poor animals pay the price for this misguided thinking.
So to debunk the myth that crustaceans don’t feel pain, here are some
facts.
you should stop eating crabs. You see, many people think crabs don’t feel pain, but this couldn’t be further from the
truth. And sadly, these poor animals pay the price for this misguided thinking.
So to debunk the myth that crustaceans don’t feel pain, here are some
facts.
A 2013 study published in the Journal of Experimental Biology reveals
that European shore crabs experience pain. Queen’s University Belfast
professor Bob Elwood, who led the study, notes that the crabs’ response to
adverse stimuli “fits all the criteria of pain.
that European shore crabs experience pain. Queen’s University Belfast
professor Bob Elwood, who led the study, notes that the crabs’ response to
adverse stimuli “fits all the criteria of pain.
In an interview with the CBC, Professor Elwood said:
We can’t prove pain
in any animal species. You can only do studies and if they’re consistent with
the idea of pain, you begin to think perhaps we should give them the benefit of
the doubt. It’s what we call the precautionary principle and [it] gives them
some protection in case they do feel pain.
In previous studies, researchers found that
hermit crabs and prawns exhibit similar pain-avoidance behaviors indicative of
sentience and feeling. They now believe that all decapod crustaceans, a group that includes lobsters and
crabs, feel pain. This has prompted Professor Elwood to seriously
question the absence of laws protecting their welfare.
hermit crabs and prawns exhibit similar pain-avoidance behaviors indicative of
sentience and feeling. They now believe that all decapod crustaceans, a group that includes lobsters and
crabs, feel pain. This has prompted Professor Elwood to seriously
question the absence of laws protecting their welfare.
To make matters worse, in the United States
these animals are denied even the most basic legal protections. Not a single
federal animal welfare law protects crustaceans or fish. As a result, the
seafood industry subjects countless animals to lives of unimaginable pain and
slow, cruel deaths.
these animals are denied even the most basic legal protections. Not a single
federal animal welfare law protects crustaceans or fish. As a result, the
seafood industry subjects countless animals to lives of unimaginable pain and
slow, cruel deaths.
Like crabs, lobsters, and crayfish, other marine animals feel pain. In
fact, fish are similar to dogs and cats in their
experience of pain and pleasure.
fact, fish are similar to dogs and cats in their
experience of pain and pleasure.
In 2011 Mercy For Animals conducted an
undercover investigation at a fish slaughter facility and exposed
fish being skinned alive. They thrashed and fought to escape the
workers’ knives. As the fish gasped for oxygen, workers ripped off their skin
with pliers.
undercover investigation at a fish slaughter facility and exposed
fish being skinned alive. They thrashed and fought to escape the
workers’ knives. As the fish gasped for oxygen, workers ripped off their skin
with pliers.
Sounds terrible, right? See for yourself.
Fortunately, you have the power to stop the
needless suffering of these sensitive animals. By choosing a
compassionate vegan diet, you can ensure that lobsters, crabs, fish,
and other animals are spared this senseless cruelty.
needless suffering of these sensitive animals. By choosing a
compassionate vegan diet, you can ensure that lobsters, crabs, fish,
and other animals are spared this senseless cruelty.
So what are you waiting for? Check out all the
amazing vegan versions of seafood, such as
Gardein’s fishless filets and crabless
cakes. And click here for compassionate sea-inspired recipes.
amazing vegan versions of seafood, such as
Gardein’s fishless filets and crabless
cakes. And click here for compassionate sea-inspired recipes.
