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The country of Spain has the chance to stop a cruel and dangerous industry before it begins. We previously sounded the alarm on Spanish seafood company Nueva Pescanova's plan to build the world's first octopus farm. Now, the Spanish Parliament is considering a ban on octopus farming that would, if passed, stop the confinement of these highly intelligent, solitary animals in barren tanks for profit by this and other companies. Please urge Spain's government to protect octopuses by supporting this ban.
 

Spanish seafood company Nueva Pescanova has been working to establish the world's first commercial octopus farm in Spain's Canary Islands, an autonomous Spanish archipelago located off the northwest coast of Africa, with plans to breed and kill around one million octopuses each year. While the company has pushed ahead despite widespread opposition from scientists, animal advocates, and the public, momentum is building to stop it. Authorities have so far refused to issue the necessary environmental permit, and the project now faces legal and regulatory challenges. If Spain passes its proposed national ban on octopus farming, it would apply to all Spanish territories, including the Canary Islands, effectively halting Nueva Pescanova's plans entirely.

The states of California and Washington have banned the practice. Additionally, the U.S. Congress first considered a federal ban on commercial octopus farming in 2024 as part of the 2023/2024 legislative session. Now, lawmakers are considering the legislation again for the second year in a row for the 2025/2026 session, showing growing momentum to stop this cruel and environmentally destructive industry before it takes hold in the U.S. The UK's Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act also recognizes cephalopods as sentient beings, pointing toward a global shift in protecting these remarkable animals.

Farming octopuses would cause tremendous suffering. These animals are problem-solvers, explorers, and escape artists. They live solitary lives in the wild, where they engage with complex environments and rely on camouflage and curiosity to survive. In confinement, they would be denied everything that makes their lives worth living. Octopus farming also presents a major threat to the environment. These carnivorous animals require huge amounts of fish to survive, accelerating the depletion of ocean life. Their waste would pollute surrounding waters, harming marine ecosystems.

The risks extend to public health as well. Octopuses carry more than 20 diseases that can infect humans, including cholera. In the wake of COVID-19 and other zoonotic disease outbreaks, it's reckless to create new avenues for transmission.

Spain has the opportunity to lead the world in protecting animals and the oceans. Tell officials to ban octopus farming before it has a chance to take off here.

Letter to Decision Maker(s) for reference:

Subject: Miembros del Congreso de los Diputados responsables de la tramitación de la Proposición de Ley 122/000202 | Support Proposition 122/000202 to Ban Octopus Farming

Thank you for your consideration of the proposed national ban on octopus farming and the commercial trade of farmed octopuses. I am grateful to see Spain taking seriously the growing concerns around this emerging industry and the suffering it would cause.

As you know, Nueva Pescanova’s proposal to farm and slaughter approximately one million octopuses each year has sparked strong opposition across scientific, legal, and public spheres. I deeply appreciate the leadership shown so far in denying the project’s environmental permit and recognizing the serious risks it poses. Enacting this ban would be a powerful and proactive step to ensure these facilities never take hold in Spain.

Octopuses are extraordinary animals — solitary, intelligent, and deeply sensitive to their environments. Farming them would subject them to lives of deprivation, stripping them of the ability to engage in natural behaviors like exploration, problem-solving, and camouflage. In addition to these ethical concerns, octopus farming threatens marine ecosystems through pollution and increased demand for wild-caught fish used in feed. It also poses public health risks due to the transmission of zoonotic diseases, including cholera.

Other governments have already acted. The states of California and Washington have banned octopus farming, while the U.S. Congress is actively considering a national ban as well.  The United Kingdom formally recognizes cephalopods as sentient under its Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act. Spain has the opportunity to stand among these global leaders and set a precedent for compassion, science-based policy, and ecological responsibility.

Thank you again for considering this legislation. I respectfully urge you to support the proposed ban and help protect animals, our shared world oceans, and the public good.

______________________________________________________

Gracias por considerar la propuesta de ley para prohibir la cría de pulpos y el comercio de pulpos criados en cautiverio. Apreciamos  profundamente que España esté tomando en serio la creciente preocupación sobre esta industria emergente y el sufrimiento que causaría.

Como ya sabrán, la propuesta de Nueva Pescanova para criar y matar aproximadamente un millón de pulpos al año ha generado una fuerte oposición entre la comunidad científica, el ámbito jurídico y la ciudadanía. Agradecemos sinceramente el liderazgo mostrado hasta ahora, al no otorgar el permiso ambiental necesario y al reconocer los riesgos graves que conlleva este proyecto. Aprobar esta prohibición sería un paso firme y preventivo para garantizar que estas instalaciones no lleguen a desarrollarse en España.

Los pulpos son animales extraordinarios: solitarios, inteligentes y altamente sensibles a su entorno. Criarlos en cautiverio significa  condenarlos a una vida de privaciones, sin oportunidad de explorar, resolver problemas ni utilizar sus habilidades naturales como el camuflaje. Más allá de estas preocupaciones éticas, la cría de pulpos también representa una amenaza para los ecosistemas marinos, debido a la contaminación del agua y a la necesidad de capturar grandes cantidades de peces silvestres para su alimentación. Además, plantea riesgos para la salud pública, al poder transmitir enfermedades zoonóticas, como el cólera.

Otros gobiernos ya han actuado. California y Washington han prohibido esta práctica, el Congreso de los Estados Unidos está considerando una prohibición nacional, y el Reino Unido ha reconocido legalmente a los cefalópodos como seres sintientes mediante su Ley de Bienestar Animal (Sintientes ). España tiene la oportunidad de liderar este cambio global, con compasión, responsabilidad ecológica y políticas basadas en la ciencia.

Una vez más, gracias por considerar esta legislación. Les pedimos  respetuosamente  apoyar la propuesta de prohibición y contribuir a la protección de los animales, los océanos y la salud pública.

Sincerely,

Signed

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