The world’s first octopus farm has been scrapped over a ‘cruel’ slaughter method.
Plans for the first commercial octopus farm on the planet have now been abandoned following years of pressure.
Scientists, NGOs and members of the public rallied against the plans put in place by Spanish seafood company Nueva Pescanova.
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The highly controversial farm would’ve used the horrific slaughter method where octopuses would be submerged alive in an ice slurry kept at -3°C, which would freeze them to death.
The plans were officially scrapped on 23 Jul, as reported by Need To Know.
Despite the company raising more than £40m to build the farm in the port of Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Spain, outside pressures brought the plan to an end.
The farm would’ve produced thousands of tonnes of octopus meat a year.
World Animal Protection have celebrated the news, labelling it a ‘big win for octopuses’.
The plans were first put forward in 2019 and have been subject to intense scrutiny until now.
Campaigners warned that the farming of the sea creature on an industrial scale would cause severe suffering for the intelligent and sentient beings.
David Garrahy, External Affairs Manager for World Animal Protection said: “Commercial farming of octopus would have been cruel and unsustainable.
“We know that octopuses are highly intelligent animals that are capable of problem solving, learning and experiencing pain.
“They are solitary animals and become aggressive when surrounded by others, so they would especially suffer in farming conditions.
“Octopus also need to be fed other marine creatures, creating a loop of potential animal suffering and loss of ocean biodiversity, similar to factory farming of pigs and chickens.
“Factory farming of octopus should never have been on the agenda and it’s time we phased out factory farming of all animals for good.”
World Animal Protection is continuing to push for the wipeout of factory animal farming for all species.
The organisation stated that millions of animals still suffer both in land and sea factory farming models.
They reported that salmon fish farms are also gaining in production.
A spokesperson for World Animal Protection said: “Our food systems need a transformation to be more humane, ethical and sustainable, to protect animals, people, and the planet.”
