ALI is campaigning to ban octopus farming in countries/regions where this is being considered (i.e Spain, , Mexico, the EU)
ALI “will work with corporations on procurement policies banning the purchase of farmed octopus”
ALI “supports research to compare potential welfare interventions”
So far, ALI has sent some letters to government officials, organised a tweet campign, planned a couple of protests, and run some online events.
They started a coalition with of 110 animal protection organizations (so like SPCA and stuff), called the Aquatic Animal Alliance (AAA)
ALI has five welfare concerns for farmed octopuses:
Environmental Enrichment (octopuses could get bored)
Feed Composition (only feeding octopuses fishmeal/fish is unsustainable)
Stocking Density & Space Requirements (octopus are solitary by nature, and high density stocking “could result in cannibalism”)
Water Quality
Stunning & Slaughter (“slaughter methods have been studied, however, none have been scientifically approved as humane”)
“Approximately 500 billion aquatic animals are farmed annually in high-suffering conditions and, to date, there is negligible advocacy aimed at improving welfare conditions for these remarkable beings.”
[Suggestions for how to improve this summary are welcome]
Summary
Demand for octopus and squid is growing
Wild populations of octopus and squid are unstable
So octopus and squid are likely to be factory farmed in the future
Octopuses are really smart. It would be an animal welfare disaster for them to be factory farmed.
There would also be “environmental, social, public health” concerns
The Aquatic Life Institute (ALI) is a non-profit trying to prevent this future
ALI is campaigning to ban octopus farming in countries/regions where this is being considered (i.e Spain, , Mexico, the EU)
ALI “will work with corporations on procurement policies banning the purchase of farmed octopus”
ALI “supports research to compare potential welfare interventions”
So far, ALI has sent some letters to government officials, organised a tweet campign, planned a couple of protests, and run some online events.
They started a coalition with of 110 animal protection organizations (so like SPCA and stuff), called the Aquatic Animal Alliance (AAA)
ALI has five welfare concerns for farmed octopuses:
Environmental Enrichment (octopuses could get bored)
Feed Composition (only feeding octopuses fishmeal/fish is unsustainable)
Stocking Density & Space Requirements (octopus are solitary by nature, and high density stocking “could result in cannibalism”)
Water Quality
Stunning & Slaughter (“slaughter methods have been studied, however, none have been scientifically approved as humane”)
“Approximately 500 billion aquatic animals are farmed annually in high-suffering conditions and, to date, there is negligible advocacy aimed at improving welfare conditions for these remarkable beings.”
[Suggestions for how to improve this summary are welcome]
Thanks so much for your comment, Hamish. This is a great summary (and a lovely introduction doodle)!