Plans to commercially farm octopuses have raised significant welfare concerns given their intelligence, solitary nature, and complex behavioral needs.
Octopuses kept in group settings engage in cannibalism causing severe injuries. Their complex cognitive needs cannot be met in commercial aquaculture conditions. Isolation housing prevents social behavior but denies their need for environmental enrichment. Studies show octopuses are capable of experiencing pain and emotional states. Any commercial farm producing octopuses at scale would cause immense suffering.