Cephalopods Research Papers - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

It is of scientific and practical interest to consider the levels of cognitive ability in animals,
which animals are sentient, which animals have feelings such as pain and which animals
should be protected. A sentient being is one that has some ability to evaluate the actions of others in
relation to itself and third parties, to remember some of its own actions and their consequences, to
assess risk, to have some feelings and to have some degree of awareness. These abilities can be taken
into account when evaluating welfare. There is evidence from some species of fish, cephalopods and
decapod crustaceans of substantial perceptual ability, pain and adrenal systems, emotional
responses, long- and short-term memory, complex cognition, individual differences, deception, tool
use, and social learning. The case for protecting these animals would appear to be substantial. A
range of causes of poor welfare in farmed aquatic animals is summarised.reverence than an inanimate object because living organisms are qualitatively different from inanimate objects in complexity, potential and aesthetic quality. This can affect decisions about whether to kill the organism and whether to conserve such organisms. As a consequence of their ability to respond and behave, we consider that we have more obligations to an animal than to a microorganism or plant. We feel concerned about their welfare, especially in the case of the more complex animals (Broom 2003). Which kinds of animal deserve such consideration? Concern for animal welfare is increasing rapidly and is a significant factor affecting whether or not animal products are bought. If a product is perceived to have adverse effects on human health, animal welfare or the environment, sales can slump dramatically (Bennett 1994). The more valuable the product, the richer the consumers and the more likely they are to decide not to buy a product on grounds such as the poor welfare of fish (Broom 1994). The fish-farming industry cannot afford to ignore fish welfare when bad publicity about it could affect sales greatly (Broom 1999). Our knowledge of the functioning of the brain and nervous system and of animal welfare has advanced rapidly in recent years (Broom & Johnson 2000, Broom & Zanella 2004). New knowledge has tended to show that the abilities and functioning of non-human animals are more complex than had previously been assumed, so it is my opinion that some re-appraisal of the threshold levels for protection is needed. Proposals for change have been made by the EFSA Scientific Panel on Animal Health and Welfare (2005). ABSTRACT: It is of scientific and practical interest to consider the levels of cognitive ability in animals , which animals are sentient, which animals have feelings such as pain and which animals should be protected. A sentient being is one that has some ability to evaluate the actions of others in relation to itself and third parties, to remember some of its own actions and their consequences, to assess risk, to have some feelings and to have some degree of awareness. These abilities can be taken into account when evaluating welfare. There is evidence from some species of fish, cephalopods and decapod crustaceans of substantial perceptual ability, pain and adrenal systems, emotional responses, long-and short-term memory, complex cognition, individual differences, deception, tool use, and social learning. The case for protecting these animals would appear to be substantial. A range of causes of poor welfare in farmed aquatic animals is summarised.