Octopus aquaculture

A complex and labor-intensive form of farming, octopus aquaculture is being driven by strong market demand in the Mediterranean and in South American and Asian countries.

[2] The supply of octopus has been constrained by overfishing in many key fisheries[3] and proponents of farming suggest human-induced culturing could help restock natural populations.

[4] Opponents of the nascent industry argue that cephalopod intelligence and emotional capacity, as well as the solitary and carnivorous character of octopuses, make them particularly ill-suited to intensive, captive breeding.

[11] A requirement for live and high-quality food is another constraint: crab zoea[12] or rotifer are necessary, since Artemia, microalgae, or pellets is insufficient.

It is a benthic species occurring from the coastal line to the outer edge of the continental shelf, at depths to 200 m and in very diverse marine habitats.

[24] Above its optimal thermal range, growth and food intake decrease, and above 23 °C loss in weight and increased mortality has been recorded.

The incorporation of temperature control mechanisms, such as in the use of closed or onshore farming systems, can reduce seasonal variances in production.

[25] Economic profitability can be maximized without significantly compromising biological productivity by incorporating a mix of fish and crustacean-based feed strategies.

However, acquiring juveniles in this way, from the wild, further increases the fishing pressure on octopus stocks that are already managed badly, possibly producing cascades in marine ecosystems.

Maintaining high survival rates for paralarvae appears to be the main factor limiting the development of a fully closed life cycle octopus hatchery system.

Critics argue that confining these creatures in cramped tanks would cause immense distress, potentially leading to aggression and cannibalism.

This legislative action reflects a growing global movement against the practice, with numerous NGOs, experts, and members of the public voicing opposition to proposed octopus farming projects.