Industry Benchmark Report on Decapod Crustacean Welfare from Crustacean Compassion, highlights a significant shift in the seafood industry as commercial pressure drives long-overdue improvements in the decapod crustaceans welfare.
With rising consumer awareness and strengthened legal protections, companies that continue to neglect welfare standards risk being squeezed out of supply chains.
- Industry-wide progress: Over two-thirds of assessed companies improved their scores, with Associated Seafoods making an exceptional three-tier jump to Tier 2. Marks & Spencer retained position as the industry leader, with Young’s Seafood joining Tier 1 for the first time.
- Processors and producers leading the charge: For the first time, processors and producers have surpassed retailers in three out of four scoring categories, demonstrating a stronger commitment to decapod welfare.
- Rise in humane stunning commitments: The number of companies pledging to implement electrical stunning as a humane slaughter method increased from 17% last year to 40%, with leading brands investing in research for at-sea stunning solutions.
- Decline in live decapod sales to consumers: The number of companies prohibiting the sale of live crustaceans more than doubled, from 27% to 57%, reflecting changing consumer and corporate attitudes.
- Need for improved consumer communication: Despite industry progress, only 17% of companies provide consumer-facing information on their decapod welfare policies, representing a significant gap in transparency.
- The Snapshot 2024 report is available on the Crustacean Industry Welfare Hub.
The latest edition of The Snapshot has been released today, showcasing remarkable progress in decapod crustacean welfare across the seafood industry.
Now in its third year, The Snapshot 2024 evaluates the efforts of 30 major seafood companies in adopting decapod welfare practices. Based on publicly available information, it highlights a growing commitment to corporate responsibility and transparency, with shifts in tier rankings reflecting these changes.
Message to the seafood industry: adapt to evolving welfare standards or risk being left behind
The findings show that while many companies are advancing their welfare practices beyond industry norms, some remain behind, which could jeopardise their position in an industry increasingly driven by consumer and retailer demands for higher welfare standards.
“There is clear movement toward higher decapod welfare standards, but it’s concerning to see some companies lagging,” said Dr. Ben Sturgeon, CEO of Crustacean Compassion. “Adopting good practices is no longer optional – it’s a commercial necessity. The shining examples of Marks & Spencer and Young’s Seafood demonstrate that with the right leadership, substantial progress is achievable.”
Marks & Spencer continues to set the standard in decapod welfare, showing consistent improvements since the initiative began in 2022. Led by Aquaculture & Fisheries Manager Linda Wood, the company is widely recognized for its proactive approach on higher welfare practices in seafood.
Linda Wood speaking on behalf of Marks & Spencer said: “We have the highest animal welfare standards in the industry and for us ensuring these standards is the right thing to do and part of the exceptional quality that sets M&S apart. This year, we’ve seen amazing collaboration with multiple partners finding new innovations to improve the welfare standards for all decapod crustaceans caught and farmed for M&S. The engagement we’ve had from our supply chain in a relatively short space of time is really encouraging. We have achieved a lot but there is much more to do, and we require the continued collaboration of the whole industry to be successful.”
Areas of Concern: some companies lagging behind
Despite progress in many areas, some food producers and supermarkets continue to allow practices that fall short of evolving welfare standards, throughout capture, storage, mutilations, and slaughter.
“It may surprise some that major supermarkets like Aldi, Amazon, ASDA, Iceland, Lidl, and Morrisons have yet to make significant welfare improvements,” said Dr. Sturgeon. “And although processors and producers have overtaken retailers overall, some of the largest food suppliers – including influential companies such as Bidfresh and Brakes – have made minimal progress and remain in the lower tiers.”
The supermarkets and food producers included in the report are:
- ALDI UK (ALDI SOUTH Group)
- Amazon UK
- Andrew Marr International
- ASDA Stores Ltd
- Associated Seafoods
- Bidfresh
- The Blue Sea Food Company
- Brakes
- Charoen Pokphand Foods (CPF)
- Compass Group UK & Ireland
- The Co-operative Group Ltd
- Hilton Food Group
- Iceland Foods Ltd
- Lidl GB
- Lyons Seafoods
- Macduff Shellfish Group
- MacNeil Shellfish
- Marks and Spencer Group PLC
- WM Morrison Supermarkets Ltd
- Northcoast Seafoods
- Ocado Retail
- PDK Shellfish
- J Sainsbury PLC
- Seafresh Group
- Sykes Seafood
- Tesco PLC
- Thai Union
- Waitrose Ltd
- Whitby Seafoods
- Young’s Seafood
Growing transparency
The Snapshot report also highlights a growing trend of transparency, with more companies openly reporting their welfare practices and progress. Since 2023, benchmark scores have been made public, offering a new level of accountability that is driving further improvements. As a result, companies that are committed to strong welfare practices are gaining a competitive edge, while those lagging behind face increasing pressure to act.
Looking ahead
As public awareness of decapod welfare grows, so to do efforts to improve welfare standards, such as the industry-led Codes of Practice for decapod welfare, developed by Seafish, the Shellfish Association of Great Britain and the Crab and Lobster Management Group. However, Crustacean Compassion believes these guidelines need to be strengthened to ensure consistent, comprehensive welfare standards across the industry.
“The Snapshot results show major seafood companies can, and are, surpassing these standards. In addition, consumer expectations are rising, with 70% supporting regulated humane transport and slaughter standards,” said Dr. Sturgeon. “As the seafood industry faces regulatory and consumer-driven challenges, decapod welfare will remain a critical aspect of corporate responsibility.”
The Snapshot 2024 is both a recognition of progress and a call for continued improvement. Crustacean Compassion is committed to helping companies raise welfare standards and drive further change.
“Positive change is happening, but it must happen faster,” Dr. Sturgeon concluded. “The industry must evolve, and we’re here to help. Now is the time to step up and demonstrate respect for people, animals, and the planet.”
For more details on The Snapshot 2024 and full company rankings, visit here.
