Cephalopods including octopuses, squid, and cuttlefish display sophisticated cognition and pain responses that raise serious welfare questions about how they are treated in research and food production.
The growing evidence for cephalopod sentience creates significant welfare obligations for how these animals are used. In food contexts, octopuses and squid are frequently killed without anaesthetic by methods that may cause significant suffering. In research, their welfare needs have historically been underprioritised. The proposed development of large-scale octopus farming raises particular concerns given the highly active, exploratory nature of these animals and the difficulty of providing adequate enrichment in aquaculture settings.