New initiative against the project octopus farm in the Canary Islandsalready a controversial business venture received rejection from numerous experts and organizations protectionists. NGOs such as Compassion in World Farming, Greenpeace Spain, Eurogroup for Animals, Oceana UK and experts such as Peter Singer and Jennifer Jacquet have joined forces to send a letter to the Canary Islands Government urging it to reject the Nueva company’s application. Pescanova will establish an octopus farm in Las Palmas Port. It is explained in the letter that permission is givenIf the farm continues, there will be cruelty to animals and damage to the environment could negatively impact island communities and the tourism industry.
In 2021, Compassion in World Agriculture published a report: Intensive octopus farming: A recipe for disasterHe showed that the extraordinary features of octopuses make them this way. not particularly suitable for intensive farming. The report reviewed scientific evidence and showed that octopuses are solitary by nature. Confining them in high density tanks can lead to aggression and even cannibalism.
In March 2023, the NGO published a second report with Eurogroup for Animals: The scary truth of octopus farming revealedReviewing plans for the proposed farm where the company is located plans to raise about one million octopuses each yearIt produces 3,000 tons of octopus. The plans confirmed NGOs’ fears and revealed worrying practices such as the use of ice water for slaughter, a method scientifically recognized as cruel.
Countries and cities question octopus farming
Over the past three years, international opposition to octopus farming has grown rapidly; Numerous NGOs, animal welfare experts, environmentalists, conservationists and politicians have expressed their outrage at plans to confine these unique animals to farms.
Washington StateA bill has been proposed to ban octopus farming in the United States. United Kingdom recognized cephalopods as legally sentient beings. Authorities Hawaiian The Kanaloa octopus farm has been shut down and a petition has been proposed to the government to ban octopus farming in Canada.
Elena Lara, Research Director at Compassion in World Farming and author of both reports, said: “This World Octopus Day (celebrated today, Sunday), we should recognize these unique, fascinating and intelligent wild animals rather than plotting ways to exploit them for profit-oriented intensive farms.” It is time to end industrial agriculture, not expand it by closing it down.
“They belong in our oceans, not in farms. They are sensitive creatures They feel pain, suffering and suffering just like other animals. Not only would their breeding be cruel and unnecessary, it would also be unsustainable and damaging to our oceans. They would have to be fed wild fish in captivity, a practice that would contribute to overfishing and food insecurity in already vulnerable communities around the world,” adds Lara.
To reiterate this message, supporters around the world will attend an event and make their views heard. Coordinated action on social networks on World Octopus Day Addressed to the Government of the Canary Islands.
According to supporters of the initiative, thousands of people are expected to participate in the protest this Sunday. They will send their own message to the Canary Islands Government Using the hashtag #StopOctopusFarming and tagging @PresiCan on X/Twitter, @gobcanarias on Instagram or PRES.Gobcan on Facebook.
In any case, the future of the farm may be uncertain not only due to animal welfare reasons, but also due to difficulties that may force the company to rethink some projects, as reported in The Canary. Islands media recently. . However, Nueva Pescanova confirms that the initiative is moving forward and rejects the accusations leveled against the farm by these organizations and experts.
The company defends the project
About this subject, New Pescanova “Our priority is to guarantee animal welfare by applying the conditions of the species in the wild to the breeding process,” he told this newspaper. Recent studies carried out by the staff of the Pescanova Biomarine Center and collaborators specialized in octopus (IEO, CSIC, feeder raft, among others) have shown that optimal growth/ shows that octopuses adapt normally to group living environments by providing fattening conditions (light, temperature, salinity, etc.) and an appropriate diet for each stage.
regarding criticisms of the existence constant light, “This is not true; the lighting conditions developed are optimal to promote welfare conditions and prevent any stress at all stages of the octopus’ life cycle.” “About the subject high densities“Depending on the stage of their life cycle, octopuses will live in different types of ponds of different sizes, designed to provide the optimal conditions they need at each stage of their lives,” the company adds.
“In terms of sacrifice“While striking to viewers unfamiliar with the industry, the above-mentioned technique is the most commonly implemented in the industry and is an option aimed at precisely avoiding any kind of trouble,” he notes.
Finally, Nueva Pescanova assures that “the octopus aquaculture project is consistent with FAO’s goal of promoting global growth in aquaculture by 35 to 40% to sustainably feed the world population.”
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