Critics Voice Alarm Over Industrial Octopus Farm Proposal in the Canary Islands
Details about a planned industrial octopus farm in the Canary Islands have drawn sharp criticism from animal welfare groups. Compassion in World Farming and Eurogroup for Animals argue that the project, presented by Nueva Pescanova, could turn the world’s first large-scale octopus facility into a high‑impact example of factory farming, risking welfare and the surrounding environment.
The plan, shown to the General Directorate of Fisheries of the Canary Islands and highlighted by Eurogroup for Animals, reportedly involves a slaughter method seen as brutal, along with housing octopuses in small, sterile tanks. Advocates warn that these practices threaten wild fish stocks and add to broader ecological pressures. A report titled The terrible truth of the baby octopus revealed outlines these concerns in detail.
Documents obtained by the groups claim that around one million octopuses could be raised at the Las Palmas de Gran Canaria facility, which aims to produce roughly 3,000 tons per year. The description depicts a system focused on scale and profitability at the possible expense of welfare and biodiversity.
In photos and statements, groups stress the fear felt by animal welfare observers about possible practices, including:
● Immersion in icy water at slaughter, a method many scientists deem painful, frightening, and a slow way to die.
● Overcrowded tanks where octopuses, naturally solitary and territorial, face aggression and even cannibalism.
● Constant lighting around the clock to boost reproduction, a tactic that can provoke extreme stress in light‑averse cephalopods.
● Feeding programs that rely on fishmeal and fish oil, contributing to pressures on wild fish populations and sustainability concerns.
● A closed recirculating system that raises energy use and increases the risk of mass die-offs when conditions become unmanageable.
Mercy in World Farming published a report in 2021 arguing that octopus farming can be brutal and could harm marine ecosystems. The research notes that early breeding attempts in similar systems showed mortality rates around 20 percent, meaning about one in five octopuses might not survive the full production cycle.
Although the Canary Islands project would mark the first industrial octopus farm, plans elsewhere, including parts of Mexico and Japan, have been discussed by various stakeholders.
Breeding Banned in Washington
Several places have already moved to prevent such breeding. In February, Washington State announced an initiative to ban octopus farming, following the shutdown of Kanaloa Octopus Farm in Hawaii, the only active octopus farm in the United States, which authorities cited in response to advocacy from Compassion in World Farming.
Protests against the Las Palmas project have drawn support from groups like Pacma, who argue that the EU should reject public funds for octopus farming given the strong scientific evidence of its environmental harm and the broader risks associated with intensive livestock operations across the board.
Elena Lara, head of research at Compassion in World Farming and author of the report, urged Canary Islands authorities to oppose Nueva Pescanova’s plans and pressed the EU to consider a ban on octopus farming as part of ongoing policy reviews. The argument centers on the belief that these intelligent animals deserve the opportunity to explore and interact with their environment in ways that align with their natural behavior.
Environmental concerns extend to the demand for large amounts of animal protein to support carnivorous diets, a factor that intensifies fishing pressures at a time when fish stocks are already strained. Advocates argue that intensive and industrial farming systems contribute to cruelty and environmental degradation and call for a shift away from factory farming, including octopus farming.
In recent decades, octopus has grown in popularity, particularly in Spain. As consumption rises, so does the pressure on wild octopus populations, with global catches increasing from historical levels. The move toward farming is framed by critics as insufficient to offset these ecological challenges.
The company says the octopuses won’t be harmed
Nueva Pescanova has told the BBC that welfare standards on its farms would ensure proper handling of octopuses and that any slaughter would minimize pain through careful management. A separate company source noted that water entering and leaving the facility would be filtered to protect the environment.
Full report: CIWF documents and related materials are cited for broader context and analysis. The materials reference findings and expert commentary that have influenced public discussions about octopus farming and its regulatory considerations.
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Public statements and analyses emphasize the need for careful assessment of farming methods and their long‑term ecological footprint. Ongoing debates focus on animal welfare standards, environmental safeguards, and the question of whether farming octopuses fits with responsible seafood production.