OCTOPUS FARMS
Octopuses are fascinating creatures that have been the subject of much research and study. They are members of the cephalopod family, including squid and cuttlefish. Octopuses are known for their intelligence, problem-solving abilities, and unique physical characteristics. They live in all of the world's oceans, from the shallowest coral reefs to the deepest parts of the ocean floor. They are solitary creatures that prefer to live alone in dens or crevices. Octopuses have a soft body and no internal or external skeleton, which allows them to squeeze through tight spaces and hide from predators.
The order Octopoda includes 289 species, each with its unique characteristics. Some species, like the mimic octopus, can change their shape and color to mimic other animals. All octopuses are venomous, but only two known species, the blue-ringed octopus and the hairy octopus, contain a powerful neurotoxin called tetrodotoxin - TTX. One milligram of TTX can kill a person, making it one of the most potent natural toxins. Octopuses can be observed out of the water hunting for crabs on shore, in which case their secret is cutaneous respiration. In certain circumstances, 40% of their oxygen intake can come through their skin.
An octopus has three hearts. One pumps blood through its organs, and the other two pump blood through its gills. Octopus blood is blue because it has a copper-based protein called hemocyanin. Depending on the species, octopuses come in many different sizes. The common octopus is 30 to 91 centimeters long and weighs 3 to 10 kilograms. The giant Pacific octopus is the largest octopus, which typically grows to 5 meters long and weighs around 50 kg, but one was recorded to weigh more than 272 kg and measure 9.1 m across, according to National Geographic.
Octopuses are carnivores, which means they eat meat. Meals can include clams, shrimp, lobsters, fish, sharks, and even smaller birds. Octopuses typically drop down on their prey, envelop it with their tentacles, and pull the animal into their mouth. They also have a variety of predators, depending on their location and size. Some of the most common octopus predators include dolphins, large fish (such as sharks, moray eels, conger eels, and barracudas), seabirds, seals, sea otters, whales (such as sperm whales and orcas), and other octopuses, especially the same species. To protect themselves from their predators, an octopus can see 360 degrees around themselves.
Research on this topic confirmed that octopuses possess short and long-term memory, which means they can observe and remember people and various animals. A research study on Giant Pacific Octopuses at the Seattle Aquarium showed that their behavior, breathing, and colors changed depending on whose face they recognized. Octopuses meet every criterion for the definition of intelligence. They have a unique nervous system that allows them to process information and learn from their environment. Scientists have discovered that octopuses share genes with humans that are associated with intelligence and learning. Octopuses are also known for their ability to use tools, solve problems, and even play when bored. They have great flexibility in obtaining, processing, storing, and applying information to predators and prey.
Octopus farming is a controversial topic that has been debated by scientists and animal rights activists in recent years. While some argue that farming octopuses could help reduce pressure on wild populations, others contend that it is unethical to confine these intelligent creatures to industrial food systems. Researchers have suggested that octopuses are unsuited to life in captivity and mass production. They argue that farming octopuses will induce unnecessary suffering on an unprecedented scale. The first-ever octopus farm is planned to be opened by the company Nueva Pescanova. The farm in Spain's Canary Islands would raise about a million octopuses annually for food, according to confidential documents seen by the BBC. According to the many opinions of scientists, academia, and animal welfare advocates, allowing a proposed octopus farm in the Canary Islands would result in animal suffering and environmental damage. It could disrupt the islands' tourist trade.
According to recent information, the global catch of wild octopuses is 420,000 metric tons per year and goes largely to affluent consumers in South Korea, Japan, Spain, Italy, Portugal, and lately, the United States. Of the estimated annual catch, two-thirds go to Asian countries such as Japan and South Korea. Global consumption of octopus meat has more than doubled since 1980. While demand is increasing, the number of wild octopuses caught is decreasing due to overfishing. This also means that the number of octopuses on the market is declining. Despite this fact, it was estimated that the octopus market size has the potential to grow by USD 318.07 million during 2021-2025 and that the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.44%.
Although octopuses have never yet been farmed, Nueva Pescanova's plans reveal that the octopuses, which are solitary animals used to the dark, would be kept in tanks with other octopuses, at times under constant light. Octopuses would be housed in around 1,000 communal tanks in a building in the port of Las Palmas in Gran Canaria. According to their documents, farmed octopuses would be killed by being put in containers of water and kept at -3C. However, studies have shown that this method of slaughtering fish using "ice slurry" causes a slow and stressful death. The World Organization for Animal Health says this method "results in poor fish welfare" and the Aquaculture Stewardship Council, the leading farmed seafood certification scheme is proposing its ban unless fish are stunned beforehand.
As the world's first commercial octopus farm is getting closer to becoming a reality, it has raised deep concerns among scientists about the welfare of the octopuses, arguing that such intelligent "sentient" creatures, should never be commercially reared for food. Prof. Peter Tse, a cognitive neuroscientist at Dartmouth University, told the BBC that "to kill them with ice would be a slow death, it would be very cruel and should not be allowed", adding that octopuses are "as intelligent as cats". NGOs worldwide have united to stop octopus farming. Washington State in the USA has proposed a Bill banning octopus farming, and the UK has legally recognized cephalopods as sentient beings. Hawaiian authorities have closed the Kanaloa octopus’ amusement and research farm, and in Canada, a governmental petition was proposed to ban octopus farming. Also, a group of over 100 scholars has signed an open letter arguing that raising octopus for food is wrong on both environmental and ethical counts. They argue that octopuses should not be commercially reared for food due to their intelligence and ability to feel pain and emotions. In conclusion, while octopus farming may seem like a lucrative business opportunity, it is important to consider the ethical implications of such an industry. The welfare of these intelligent creatures should be considered before any further development of this industry takes place.
