A plan by a multinational company to build world's first octopus farm to breed the animals for consumption is facing flak, said a BBC report. Octopuses which are consumed in Europe, Asia, Latin America and other regions of the world have not been farmed before. The report says a Spanish multinational company Nueva Pescanova plans to build an octopus farm.

Octopuses are notoriously hard to breed in captivity as the larvae only eat live food and need very careful monitoring of environmental factors. Efforts to try to breed octopuses have been going on for decades. Neuva Pescanova claimed in 2019 that it had had a breakthrough in developing method to breed octopuses in captivity.

Some scientists quoted by the BBC have raised concerns that the proposed method to kill the octopuses was "cruel"

Nueva Pescanova denies that the octopuses will suffer. The company plans to build the farm in Spain's Canary Islands.

As per the report, the plan to breed the animals involves creating 1000 communal breeding tanks which will be kept in dark as well as exposed to light time to time. The octopuses will be slaughtered by keeping them in water at -3 degrees Celsius.

"to kill them with ice would be a slow death … it would be very cruel and should not be allowed," said Prof Peter Tse, a cognitive neuroscientist at Dartmouth University. Professor Tse was quoted by the BBC.

The professor said that octopuses were "as intelligent as cats" and more humane methods should be used if they are to be slaughtered for the purpose of being consumed.

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A plan by a multinational company to build world's first octopus farm to breed the animals for consumption is facing flak, said a BBC report. Octopuses which are consumed in Europe, Asia, Latin America and other regions of the world have not been farmed before.

A plan by a multinational company to build world's first octopus farm to breed the animals for consumption is facing flak, said a BBC report. Octopuses which are consumed in Europe, Asia, Latin America and other regions of the world have not been farmed before. The report says a Spanish multinational company Nueva Pescanova plans to build an octopus farm. Octopuses are notoriously hard to breed in captivity as the larvae only eat live food and need very careful monitoring of environmental factors. Efforts to try to breed octopuses have been going on for decades. Neuva Pescanova claimed in 2019 that it had had a breakthrough in developing method to breed octopuses in captivity. Some scientists quoted by the BBC have raised concerns that the proposed method to kill the octopuses was "cruel" Nueva Pescanova denies that the octopuses will suffer. The company plans to build the farm in Spain's Canary Islands. As per the report, the plan to breed the animals involves creating 1000 communal breeding tanks which will be kept in dark as well as exposed to light time to time. The octopuses will be slaughtered by keeping them in water at -3 degrees Celsius. "to kill them with ice would be a slow death … it would be very cruel and should not be allowed," said Prof Peter Tse, a cognitive neuroscientist at Dartmouth University. Professor Tse was quoted by the BBC. The professor said that octopuses were "as intelligent as cats" and more humane methods should be used if they are to be slaughtered for the purpose of being consumed. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Plan to build first-ever octopus farm in the world raises concerns

As a Spanish company aims to construct the first commercial octopus farm next year, spurred on by rising seafood demand, as scientists learn more about the enigmatic animals, some fear it will be an ethical and environmental disaster.&nbsp;

Proponents of the project argue that the breeding programmes will relieve pressure on overburdened fisheries while also creating jobs in the area.

However, ethicists, zoologists, and environmentalists are sceptical, stating that there are numerous reasons why octopuses should not be farmed.

On paper, octopus farms seem like a good idea, because many regularly consumed species can reproduce quickly, gain body mass quickly, and mature in a year or two.

The idea of octopus aquaculture, on the other hand, comes with a slew of costs and issues.&nbsp;

They're finicky eaters, especially when they're young, and like to consume live prey.

Octopuses do not do well in confinement, and when confined with one another, they can become violent, even mutilating themselves.

Furthermore, octopuses are known escape artists, finding ingenious ways to get free at any given moment.

Aquaculture as a whole continues to be a major source of environmental concern as of late.

Despite tremendous progress over the last two decades, the fishing industry continues to be a source of aquatic pests and diseases, pollution, and greenhouse gases.

Companies like Nueva Pescanova approach these challenges pragmatically, intending to overcome them through research, though they're notoriously tight-lipped about what that could entail.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

As a Spanish company aims to construct the first commercial octopus farm next year, spurred on by rising seafood demand, as scientists learn more about the enigmatic animals, some fear it will be an ethical and environmental disaster.

As a Spanish company aims to construct the first commercial octopus farm next year, spurred on by rising seafood demand, as scientists learn more about the enigmatic animals, some fear it will be an ethical and environmental disaster. Proponents of the project argue that the breeding programmes will relieve pressure on overburdened fisheries while also creating jobs in the area. However, ethicists, zoologists, and environmentalists are sceptical, stating that there are numerous reasons why octopuses should not be farmed. On paper, octopus farms seem like a good idea, because many regularly consumed species can reproduce quickly, gain body mass quickly, and mature in a year or two. The idea of octopus aquaculture, on the other hand, comes with a slew of costs and issues. They're finicky eaters, especially when they're young, and like to consume live prey. Octopuses do not do well in confinement, and when confined with one another, they can become violent, even mutilating themselves. Furthermore, octopuses are known escape artists, finding ingenious ways to get free at any given moment. Aquaculture as a whole continues to be a major source of environmental concern as of late. Despite tremendous progress over the last two decades, the fishing industry continues to be a source of aquatic pests and diseases, pollution, and greenhouse gases. Companies like Nueva Pescanova approach these challenges pragmatically, intending to overcome them through research, though they're notoriously tight-lipped about what that could entail. (With inputs from agencies)

World's first octopus farm raises serious ethical concerns

Animal activists are opposing the world's first-ever Octopus farm, arguing it is wrong to farm sentient beings. Recent studies have found that Octopuses are capable of emotions including pain and joy. Is it wrong to commercially rear such animals? Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: Activists decry world's first Octopus farm

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