Dr. Lynne Sneddon: Are fishes and crustaceans sentient?
Dr. Lynne Sneddon
Are fishes and crustaceans sentient?
Recent research has shown the capacity for aquatic animals to show complicated behaviours and motivational states. The empirical evidence for sentience shall be reviewed for fishes and crustaceans to demonstrate that these animals possess the ability to react to their external world and experience adverse internal states. To be sentient, animals should be able to communicate to one another and form relationships; be able to learn and remember; assess the risk and benefits of a situation; experience positive and negative affective states; and have some degree of awareness. By reviewing scientific studies that demonstrate these abilities in animals we can use this information to inform our treatment of these animals and change guidelines and legislation.