The Negative Consequences Of Octopus Farming
Octopus maya is an octopus species that lives near the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico. In recent years, its population has declined dangerously, which also affects the fishing industry. To address this issue, the O. maya farm Moluscos del Mayab was established.
Recently, the United Nations Development Program granted the farm $50,000 in hopes that it would help octopus conservation efforts. However, the Aquatic Life Institute published a critical report about the farm, which claims it is harmful to octopuses, people, and the environment.
A large focus of the report is the poor welfare of the octopuses. It suggests that, since octopuses are so intelligent, they need mental stimulation that is not possible to provide in captivity. The report highlights octopuses’ solitary nature and their tendency to get stressed when in close quarters with one another. As a result, about a third of octopus deaths on the farm are caused by cannibalism. Octopuses in captivity are also at higher risk of disease because of overcrowding, poor water quality, and a lack of veterinary knowledge. Overall, about half of the farmed octopuses die before slaughter. The report stresses that no humane method of slaughter has ever been found for octopuses.
The report brings attention to the threats posed to human health as well. Crowded conditions on the farm make it the perfect place for parasites, bacteria, and viruses to reproduce. The facility uses antibiotics to keep the octopuses healthy, which increases the risk that bacteria will develop antibiotic resistance. The diseases themselves are also a risk to public health. Laboratory cephalopods have been found to be infected with cholera, and farmed octopuses could harbor new zoonotic diseases.
If these facts weren’t worrying enough, there are many environmental problems pointed out by the report. Wastewater from farming can negatively impact the ocean. Intensive farming of other carnivorous aquatic species, such as salmons, has reduced the population of related species. Octopuses often escape confinement, so they’re even more likely than other aquatic species to spread on-farm diseases and genetic mutations to wild populations.
Octopus farming won’t necessarily reduce overfishing. The Mexican government only permits fishing of large octopuses above 450 grams. However, the octopuses at Moluscos del Mayab are slaughtered when they are much smaller. The report argues that, since “baby octopus” is sold to a different market than large octopus, the demand for fished octopus is not reduced.
The Aquatic Life Institute’s report also describes key issues octopus farming could create for the local community. Octopuses’ demanding nutritional needs and cannibalistic habits motivate the farm to use a variety of food sources like crabs, fishes, and squids. Many of these options could be eaten by humans too, which increases competition and threatens food security. Farmed “baby octopus” is not affordable for most local people. The report additionally claims that the current safety protocols for employees at the farm are inadequate given the fact that octopuses are venomous. Farming could also threaten artisanal fisheries by reducing wild octopus populations.
In light of the many dangers octopus farming poses, the Aquatic Life Institute strongly opposes it. They suggest more sustainable solutions to food insecurity, such as encouraging plant-based diets. To protect octopuses, they advocate for protecting marine areas and enforcing fishing bans. Their conclusion is firm: Moluscos del Mayab is not a good solution to the problems it claims to solve.