A Spanish firm aims to launch the world’s first commercial octopus farm next year. However, as scientists learn more about the mysterious creatures, some fear it will be an ethical and environmental disaster.
‘Octopuses are extremely intelligent and extremely curious. And it’s well known they are not happy in conditions of captivity,’ WWF‘s Raul Garcia said.
Meanwhile, Roberto Romero, aquaculture director at Nueva Pescanova said, “This is a global milestone.” Nueva Pescanova is the company investing 65 million euros into the octopus farm.
The firm is yet to get a clean slate from the local authorities. Nueva Pescanova outperformed competitor enterprises in Mexico and Japan to achieve the conditions needed for industrial-scale breeding, based. The farm’s business motivations are evident, with plans to produce 3,000 tonnes per year for domestic and worldwide food chains by 2026 and create hundreds of jobs in Gran Canaria.
Rise in global octopus trade
According to United Nations figures, the global octopus trade increased from $1.30 billion in 2010 to $2.72 billion in 2019. Previous endeavors for the creation of an octopus farm have miserably failed. Some of the reasons for high mortality were hostility, cannibalism, and self-mutilation. Researchers at the London College of Economics decided last year, based on a review of 300 scientific studies, that octopuses are sentient beings capable of suffering and happiness, and that high-welfare farming is impossible.
The European Union’s animal care requirements certainly do not expand to invertebrates. While Spain is enhancing its animal safety legislation, octopuses are not likely to be in it. Nueva Pescanova has been quiet on tank sizes, density, and feed, citing trade secrets. The creatures are constantly ensuring their well-being, according to the report. Traditional octopus fishermen are also wary of the venture, fearing that it will drive down prices and jeopardize their reputation for high-quality seafood.