The Nueva Pescanova Spanish Multinational announced at the end of 2021 that the first farm in the world would open on the Canary Islands that would be dedicated to raising and cultivating Octopus And that would be ready for the summer of 2023.
It was not long for the animals of the animals to scream in heaven. They have argued The project finally saw that the light would be harmful to both animals and the marine ecosystem.
Now a proposal has been submitted that, If accepted would prohibit the intensive exploitation of this species and end the company’s plans. Science, European citizens who have signed countless requests and associations of animal defenses will appreciate this.
Octopo’s breeding on sea farms
The entity of legal operators has submitted the first proposal to change the law of marine crops and to prohibit the intensive exploitation of these animals, In response to the rejection expressed by citizenship, science and environmental protection entities for this activity, still not -best in Spain. “It is a exercise of public responsibility,” they say.
Since 2021 The multinational new Pescanova will announce its intention to install an Octopus farm in Spain, the first in the world, A large number of citizens have been raised who today will continue to demand the government agencies that avoid these types of activities in our country, because of their cruelty for animals and in their harmful effects on the already deteriorated marine average.
Currently There is no regulation that regulates this type of farm, for which the Intercids Association, legal operators for animals, has developed a proposal whose objective is to determine the prohibition directly.
The Octopus would suffer on farms
Loose Scientific studies on Octopus have shown that they are animals with great cognitive and behavioral complexity, memory, curiosity and ability to explore, use instruments, solve complex problems, plan and anticipate. Scientific evidence also indicates that Octopos They can suffer from physical and emotional pain, and remember that suffering and experienced fear experience.
Loose Octopos They are unique animals whose breeding and imprisonment on farms, in addition to being cruel, means destroying the natural properties and skills of a wild animal. “Keeping them in captivity is to destroy them, it is incompatible with their needs, subject to an environment without stimuli and the risk of injuries and diseases,” they claim from Interds.
Most of it The Octos are naturally lonely and it has been documented that in situations of imprisonment and overpopulation. On the other hand, there are indications that the lack of environmental stimulation can have an adverse effect on the cognitive attributes and skills of the octopus. Moreover, there is also no method that enables them to numb them before they kill, without causing pain or fear.
Negative impact on the marine environment
At a time that The protection of ecosystems and marine biodiversity is increasing Of these animals, whose consumption has come from traditional fishing so far. Some of these negative effects are:
- Waste and water removal at the seaThat change the aquatic environment and influence the species that live in it.
- The use of chemical and poisonous products That can infect the environment and even threaten public health.
- CO2 emissions They contribute to the greenhouse effect.
- Pollution That affects different types of animals.
- The problems that are derived from the bad scents Produced by these farms.
- The risk of increased imprisonmentwith reduced and reduced possibilities, are accidentally released by the sea, which affects others negatively Octopos And to the ecological balance.
We must add that to the above Aquaculture with carnivorous species such as Octopus presents a problem of untenability and inefficiency in the use of natural resourcesNot only because of its high consumption of energy and water. Its activity focuses on captivity and exploit wild animals that need proteins from other types of water animals to feed, which means a greater fisherman’s pressure on populations of fish and shellfish.
All these Negative consequences, on animals and on the already very fragilized half navy, cannot be assumed in favor of the massive industrial exploitation of the Octopus, That it is neither a basic food nor responds to needs in the field of food safety that justify its intensive farm production, “says Interds.
The Navy Crops -Act must be changed
The intercid proposal, which has been transferred to the Parliamentary Association for the Defense of Animal Rights (APDDA), exists When changing law 23/1984 of 25 June on marine crops to ban aquaculture with octopus for consumption and other productive purposes, as well as the commercialization of Octopus of these farms.
To do this, the entity Appeal to the competence of the state to protect legislation in a fundamental manner about the protection of the environment and the general planning of the economyWhile the powers of the autonomous communities are respected about aquaculture and environmental management.
In its proposal, the entity argues that the amendment to this Spanish law is completely consistent with the «Strategic guidelines for EU aquaculture The most sustainable and competitive for the period 2021-2030“, Including the European Commission indicates that” ingredients in the food that are obtained in the most respectful way with ecosystems and biodiversity, and that at the same time are sufficient to guarantee the health and the good guarantee of animals “must be used. Something that cannot be used in any way. Octopos farms, another reason why they should not be allowed.
Application of the precautionary principle
«Loose Public powers have the duty to protect the environment and the animals. And they have to do it by applying the precautionary principle“, Says Interds. The entity explains that, on the basis of this principle, when an activity can have potentially dangerous effects, it must be avoided or measures must be taken to effectively prevent its effects.
«In the case of Octopos Farms is a totally new activity, for which there is no specific regulations and that we already know will inevitably lead to harmful consequences for these animals and for the environment. Taking into account these negative effects, it must be forbidden. And given that it is a non -existent activity so far, the time to prohibit it now. It is a exercise of public responsibility ».