References
1.http://arc.enviroweb.org/shellfish/lob_let1.html
2.http://www.lobsterlib.com/index.html
3. Dr Neville Gregory, Animal Welfare and Stress section, MIRENZ, Phone: 07 838 5321
4. http://www.maf.govt.nz/mafnet/press/archive/2000/140200lob.htm

The humane way to kill a lobster

Being cold blooded, chilling the lobster helps reduce nerve function and metabolic activity.

To chill, place the lobster in salt water or a refrigerator set at two to four degrees. When it is fully chilled, the lobster will stop moving and no longer responds to being handled," Dr Gregory said.

Dr Gregory says placing a lobster in unsalted tap water causes severe osmotic stress leading to drowning. Drowning can cause the lobster meat to turn soft due to it retaining water as part of the osmotic affect.