Protestors Come Together to Oppose the World’s First Octopus Farm

Update (October 2023):
PETA has continued to support campaign efforts to stop the world’s first octopus farm. On World Octopus Day (8 October), we signed two joint letters to the government of Gran Canaria and the European Parliament, along with PACMA, Compassion in World Farming, and other animal protection groups. The letters call on officials to stop the current plans and for a ban on the farming and importing of captive-bred octopuses in the European Union.

Original post (7 February 2022):
Spanish island Gran Canaria is set to open the world’s first octopus farm, which would see hundreds of thousands of these hyper-intelligent beings commercially reared in intensive conditions – think cramped, barren tanks – every year before being slaughtered for food.

PACMA

So, PETA joined the Spanish Animalist Party Against Mistreatment of Animals and other animal protection groups and advocates to overwhelm the Las Palmas municipality with calls to scrap the plans.

PACMA

Octopuses are known to attempt escapes from captivity, and scientists have stated that they cannot be confined without suffering, being “particularly ill-suited to a life in captivity and mass-production”. We can only imagine the stress an aquatic factory farm would cause them.

These fascinating, highly intelligent animals should be respected and allowed to live their lives in their natural environments, not imprisoned and killed for tapas.

PACMA

Einsteins of the Sea

Octopuses are recognised as “Einsteins of the sea” and are capable of complex thought processes: they can navigate mazes, use tools, and learn how to do such things as unscrew lids simply by watching. They are masters of disguise, decorate their homes, and have excellent memories.

See the Individual Octopus

These clever beings are also extremely sensitive to pain. Cramming them into tanks or netted pools will lead to unnatural aggression, cannibalism, and injury – which is why scientists, conservationists, and tens of thousands of PETA supporters have called on authorities not to move forward with these plans.

Currently, there’s no legislation in Spain that protects octopuses’ welfare, leaving them vulnerable to unscrupulous profiteers who could keep them in any conditions and inflict unspeakable pain and suffering completely unchallenged.