For centuries, the boiling of live lobsters has been a common practice in kitchens around the world. However, there is a massive social movement working to end this practice. Lobsters have a complex nervous system and they can feel pain. At GentleWays for OurPlanet, we believe that in a civilized society there is never a justification for inflicting  this kind of suffering onto another sentient creature. The protection of lobsters means keeping them in their natural habitat during storage and transportation and killing them humanely, if at all, according to the latest marine biology research.

In January of 2018, Switzerland made it illegal to boil lobsters alive in a critical review of their animal protection policies. Live crustaceans may no longer be transported on ice or in ice water. Aquatic species including lobsters must always be kept in their natural environment. Furthermore, lobsters must be stunned into numbness before being killed. Switzerland is also cracking down on other forms of animal injustice, such as puppy farms and painful behavioural devices. 

Animal protection is making strides overseas as well. The commercial boiling of lobsters is illegal in many regions of New Zealand, where the Animal Law Society continues to gather research and pressure regulators to maintain standards driven by science and compassion. Italy is also beginning to make progress with their highest court ruling that lobsters must not be kept on ice in restaurants. This is a demonstration of excellent environmental leadership from many countries. Can the policy makers in your community show the same commitment to animal protection?

GentleWays for OurPlanet supports the principle of leaving wild animals in their natural habitat. If we still want to eat other animals, at a minimum, we owe them a decent life and a humane slaughter. In this regard, Switzerland and other nations have made great environmental accomplishments.  We, at GentleWays will continue our efforts to see a ban on this practice of boiling crustaceans alive.  For over a decade, our founder, Dr. Aïda Warah, has been passionately campaigning to end this practice in Canada. She began her personal campaign 12 years ago, writing letters and raising awareness about this matter. In 2018, she wrote powerful letters urging Prime Minister, Justine Trudeau and Mayor of Ottawa, Jim Watson to take action against the boiling of live lobsters. However, the practice still continues without serious federal attention. Join us in the fight to end this practice and to make Canada amongst the civilized societies where sentient creatures are not burnt alive… 

By: Oghenetekeme Rerri, GentleWays Champion