Washington Bill Seeks A Ban on Octopus Farms

EAT

Mar 5

With the world’s first commercial octopus farm set to open later this year, there are growing concerns that it could mark the start of the mass farming of these intelligent animals.

Lawmakers in Washington have introduced a new bill that seeks to outlaw octopus farms in the state.

While there are currently no such farms in Washington, the proactive bill would ban any future operation from farming the marine animals, and comes amid renewed evidence and studies that attest to the intelligence of octopus.

The move is also likely a reaction to the controversial news that the world’s first commercial octopus farm is set to open later this year in Spain.

Washington legislators listened to public testimony on the bill during a House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources hearing, reports Fox 13 Seattle.

Rep. Strom Peterson, along with other supporters of the bill HB 1153, noted that the farming of octopus would be unethical.

"Octopuses are highly intelligent, capable of problem-solving, and have the capacity to experience complex emotion," explained Amanda Fox, part of the Animal Rights Initiative, in support of the bill.

Recent scientific research has testified to the intelligence of octopus, and noted their sentience, their ability to suffer, and the difficulty of humanely farming these animals. One particular report led to octopus, along with other marine animals, being written into U.K. animal welfare laws that were updated to now recognize their sentience.

"The report emphasized that high-welfare octopus farming is not possible due to the asocial nature of these animals. Intensive farming practices force octopuses into confined spaces, denying them the stimulating environment they are accustomed to in the wild," added Fox, who cited the report’s finding to support the bill.

Other supporters of the bill noted its symbolic significance.

"Washington should be on the forefront in the U.S. and globally in the protection of sentient octopuses from these dreary and oppressing conditions that await them in the burgeoning farmed octopus industry," explained Josh Diamond, also with Animal Rights Initiative.

During the hearing, no person spoke out against the bill.

Octopus Farming: An Ethical Disaster

The new bill in Washington comes amid a rising demand for seafood and follows the announcement of the world’s first commercial octopus farm.

Spanish company Nueva Pescanova plans to raise and slaughter at least 60,000 captive octopuses annually when the first-of-its-kind octopus farm opens in the Canary Islands later this year.

The plans drew widespread global criticism from animal welfare groups and marine experts, and a Species Unite petition speaking out against the farm has garnered over 30,000 signatures.

Past attempts at commercial octopus farming have shown it to be incredibly difficult, time intensive, and with little success. But with an estimated 350,000 tonnes of octopus caught from the wild each year, several companies are trying to discover the secret to successfully breeding the animals in captivity to meet the growing demand.

It is feared that Nueva Pescanova’s upcoming commercial octopus farm could spell a wave of similar facilities opening and mark the start of the mass farming of these intelligent animals.

Help us speak out against octopus farming by signing the Species Unite petition that calls on the Spanish Government and the European Union to ban the industry before it is too late. Add your name here.

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