Intelligent, Complex, and Fascinating Animals
Octopuses are sentient beings who feel joy and excitement, but also pain and fear. They are extremely intelligent and have been known to use seashells for protection, steal food from traps set by fishers, escape from aquariums, and even decorate their homes. They communicate with one another through complex colour changes and flashes that humans still don’t understand. Keeping them on farms will lead to unnatural aggression, cannibalism, injury, and death as they fight and struggle to escape.
Octopus Welfare? Think Again
Currently, there’s no legislation in Spain that protects octopus welfare, leaving them vulnerable to unscrupulous profiteers who could keep them in any conditions and inflict unspeakable pain and suffering completely unchallenged.
Scientists have concluded that octopuses are sentient beings and that it is impossible to farm them in a way that doesn’t compromise their welfare. Confining these fascinating individuals – or any animal – to a barren tank is cruel.
At the end of their miserable lives, the octopuses will be slaughtered – most likely while fully conscious – experiencing horrific terror and pain as their brains are cut into or their heads are clubbed in.
Environmental Disaster
Farming octopuses is as unsustainable as it is inhumane. It would put yet more pressure on the ocean, as wild marine life would have to be caught to feed them, further depleting fish populations and disrupting the ecosystem.
Help Stop These Plans
Take action by urging the minister for agriculture, livestock, and fisheries of the Canary Islands to stop these plans:
Personalising your e-mail is best, but here’s a template you can use or amend as you wish.