The idea of creating the world’s first octopus farm, which is to be created in Spain, is already becoming a reality. Thus, the grant aims to start selling mollusks in this country where octopus is an important ingredient.
According to the scientists and environmentalists commenting in this regard, although the creation of this farm will bring benefits to the country, its creation has actually become a big problem.
Octopus meat is widely used and not only in Spain, but this has negative consequences for the entire environment.
The population is seriously threatened by over-fishing. But there are many reasons not to start an octopus farm. That is, according to scientists, octopuses are very intelligent animals, they can understand pain and feel emotions well. Therefore, octopus food should not be sold in the market. A second reason is the impact that intensive agriculture can have on fisheries.
This octopus farm is scheduled to open in the Canary Islands near the port of Las Palmas in 2022. This project is initiated by Nueva Pescanova. More than 50 million euros have been invested to produce more than 3,000 tons of octopus per year, which can be sold by 2023.
Scientists and environmental activists have called the practice “ethically and ecologically unjustifiable”. According to Nueva Pescanova, “breeding octopuses in captivity saves octopuses that live in the wild and are targeted by fishermen.” Despite pressure from scientists and environmentalists, he is determined to manage the facility.
As Dr. Elena Lara says, “These creatures are fantastic. They are solitary and very intelligent. So putting them in sterile ponds without cognitive stimulation is bad for them. Intensive octopus rearing is a problem for this species and its intelligence. , but these reasons do not seem sufficient to prevent their commercialization for food purposes.”
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