No.
Lobsters don’t have a centralized brain. Instead, they have a decentralized nervous system made up of 15 ganglia — clusters of nerve cells — that control different parts of their body.
According to the University of Maine’s Lobster Institute, it is still “somewhat contested” whether this system allows them to feel pain, with researchers long debating the topic. While they have nerves that can detect harmful stimuli, that doesn’t necessarily mean they experience pain the way humans do.
The debate over the most humane way to cook Maine’s most famous export has raged for years. In 2018, Switzerland banned boiling lobsters alive without first stunning them.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, or PETA, sued in July to stop the Maine Lobster Festival in Rockland from boiling live lobsters, arguing that they can feel pain. The case is still pending in Knox County Superior Court.
This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
• University of Maine Lobster Institute: Anatomy & Biology
• The Guardian: Switzerland rules lobsters must be stunned before boiling
• Portland Press Herald: Lobsters feel pain? Let’s ask expert
We invite you to add your comments. We encourage a thoughtful exchange of ideas and information on this website. By joining the conversation, you are agreeing to our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is found on our FAQs. You can modify your screen name here.
Comments are managed by our staff during regular business hours Monday through Friday as well as limited hours on Saturday and Sunday. Comments held for moderation outside of those hours may take longer to approve.
Join the Conversation
Please sign into your CentralMaine.com account to participate in conversations below. If you do not have an account, you can register or subscribe. Questions? Please see our FAQs.