by Madison Longenecker

With their impressive problem-solving skills, flexibility, and even tool-use capacities, octopuses have captivated the imaginations of scientists and animal lovers everywhere.

Unfortunately, despite their distinct personalities, clear display of intelligence and capacity to feel, plans are in motion to factory farm these sea creatures for human consumption.

The Remarkable Intelligence of These Eight-Armed Creatures

It is said that octopuses are the 'genius' of the ocean with quite some merit! They show high-level cognition very rarely seen in any other kinds of invertebrates and behaviors indicating a complex form of consciousness.

• Problem-Solving and Tool Use: Perhaps the most impressive evidence of octopus intelligence is their problem-solving capabilities. Octopuses have been described as among the smartest of invertebrates, having devised homemade shells and even escaping from aquariums using well-thought-out plans. For instance, the coconut octopus has been observed carrying around two halves of a discarded coconut shell to use as an instant shelter—a stark example of tool usage, which was once thought to be a uniquely human trait and something that only some other animals do.
• Mimicry and Camouflage: Octopuses are hide-and-seek champions. Sometimes they change their color, texture, and even the shape of their bodies just to match their environment. This is not a mere reflex; it takes some pretty advanced visual processing and spatial awareness. For instance, the mimic octopus can look and act like a variety of ocean animals such as lionfish, flatfish, or sea snakes to fool predators.
• Playful Behavior: Maybe the clearest evidence of their intelligence, however, is that they know how to play. In captivity, octopuses have been observed engaging in playful activities: repeatedly jetting water at objects (with their heads inserted into a ball or helmet) and releasing it as part of play. Common among humans, play behavior is a rarity in the animal kingdom and has often been used as an indicator of higher cognitive function.
• Love of Gardening: Octopuses are known to decorate their homes with shells and rocks, called an octopus garden, which inspired the 1969 song of the same name by The Beatles. 

The Case for Why Octopuses Should Not Be Farmed

Octopuses are simply far too intelligent and complex to mass-produce on a farm. The traits that make them so intriguing also make them incompatible with their welfare when trapped inside of a commercial farm, which Compassion in World Farming has highlighted in our report Octopus Farming: A Recipe for Disaster.

Social Isolation and Stress

Octopuses are seclusive creatures. They do not mingle much with each other, and you would generally find them alone in their wild habitat. Born to be solitary beings, even when it comes to mating, the males and females have fleeting physical relationships with one another.

If forced to live in cramped farming conditions, they would become so aggressive and stressed that many of them would begin self-mutilating or attacking each other for cannibalization. When they are together in closed-off spaces, octopuses slump into sadness and refuse feeding or try to run away.

Environmental Impact

It would be an environmental disaster to farm octopuses. Octopuses are carnivores and need a diet of very high-quality protein. In the wild, octopuses feed on a lot of wild fish. Farmed octopuses would be fed fishmeal and fish oil, which are highly unsustainable.

In addition, the waste resulting from large-scale aquaculture could pollute and destroy habitats, endangering more species in underwater communities.

In May, new threats of the world's first proposed octopus factory farm by Spanish seafood company Nueva Pescanova were revealed, showing that the company failed to consider multiple significant threats to wildlife and the environment, as well as public health.

Animal Welfare Considerations

Octopus farming would be unethical. They can feel pain and even experience pleasure, being capable, of course, of suffering. Limiting their worlds to tiny tanks and not allowing them the freedom they need to roam, hunt, or mate is cruel by any standards. We have recognized the need to protect dolphins, whales, and other mammals from life in captivity—octopuses should be afforded that same salvation.

At Nueva Pescanova's proposed farm, octopuses would be cruelly killed by ice slurry without pre-stunning - an inhumane method that causes pain, fear and suffering.

Ongoing Opposition to Octopus Farming

Compassion in World Farming along with concerned scientists, environmentalists, and other animal welfare groups have been demanding bans on octopus farming before it starts in Spain and all around the globe.

In 2023, the only octopus farm in the U.S. was shut down in Hawaii after a year of campaigning by CIWF.

CIWF has been campaigning against Nueva Pescanova's proposed farm since plans were first revealed in 2023, with recent reports by CIWF and Eurogroup for Animals highlighting even further the devastation the farm would inflict.

Several bills in the U.S. are being considered to ban octopus farming, with one state that has already passed a ban; Washington.

California's octopus farming and sale ban bill is on its way to becoming law by the end of this month. If passed, CA would become the first state to ban the farming AND the sale of octopus. Oregon is considering its own legislation as well.

Overall, the U.S. is one of the countries considering a ban on octopus farming as part of legislation to protect both animal welfare and waterways at a federal level with the OCTOPUS Act. Awareness has brought increased momentum to keep octopuses wild, including a recent letter published in Science by 100 scientists, including contributions from CIWF's Senior Science and Policy Advisor Dr. Elena Lara. 

Take Action

Octopuses should be left in the wild and out of cruel factory farming tanks. Help us make this a reality by signing our petition today to stop the suffering of these sentient beings.

Madison Longenecker works toward developing Compassion USA’s reputation as the leading authority on farmed animal welfare through securing media coverage on Compassion’s missions, annual reports, and campaigns, plus engaging supporters through social media. In her past roles, she has worked as a communications specialist, as an assignment editor in broadcast television in Pittsburgh and as an investigative reporter for her college newspaper. Her experience has provided her with a keen media sense and passion for storytelling. Madison earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Public Relations with an English minor from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania.