Spanish firm Nueva Pescanova plans to raise one million wild‑type octopuses in a closed system on Gran Canaria, a scheme drawing criticism from animal‑rights groups.
Report Highlights Severe Stress
Compassion in World Farming Poland warns that confining hundreds of solitary, territorial octopuses to cramped farms is barbaric, producing intense, prolonged stress and provoking aggressive fighting as the animals search for safety that never exists.
Proposed Mass Killing Method
Octopuses in the closed system would be killed by forced immersion in an ice slurry. The foundation calls it cruel, noting deaths would take at least ten minutes to complete.
Ecological and Food‑Safety Concerns
Researchers say the practice threatens marine ecosystems, the animals themselves, and human food security. They note that, without natural prey, fish feed will devastate wild stocks.
Ecological Footprint of Feeding Octopuses
To produce 3,000 tonnes of octopus meat in the first year, the Gran Canaria farm would need to process 28,000 tonnes of wild fish, equivalent to hunting nearly ten kilograms of wild fish for each kilogram of octopus flesh produced.
Compensation Claims
Newa Pescanova says it will feed the octopuses with sustainably sourced feed and use fishing waste, yet critics argue there is no humane method for slaughtering octopuses and industrial farming would drive further over‑fishing and ecosystem damage.
