Eating Octopus is Unacceptable, Say One in Four Americans

A recent YouGov survey found that 24 percent, or nearly one in four, U.S. adults think that eating octopus is morally unacceptable. Another 17 percent were unsure. This survey asked 1,000 participants to answer a variety of questions about vegetarianism and the morality of eating certain animals. One of the questions asked participants to choose whether they believe eating certain animals is morally acceptable, or unacceptable, or if they are unsure. Animals who are commonly consumed in the U.S., such as chickens, cows, salmon, and pigs, saw the highest acceptable ratings. The lowest rating was seen when participants were asked about the moral acceptability of eating chimpanzees. Only 14 percent thought eating a chimpanzee was morally acceptable. Most participants also found it unacceptable to eat dogs or cats under normal circumstances. 

Source: NowThis/YouTube

The same survey also found that 31 percent of respondents believe that an animal’s capacity to feel pain was a “very important” factor in whether it was morally acceptable to eat that animal. 25 percent ranked it as “somewhat important”. An animal’s ability to feel pain was ranked as “very important” by 34 percent and “somewhat important” by 25 percent. 32 percent of respondents believed that an animal’s ability for self-awareness was “very important” and 28 percent believed it was “somewhat important”. 

This research is especially significant in light of findings from the London School of Economics. These findings conclude that octopuses are sentient creatures. This means that they can feel both positive and negative emotions, including pain and distress. After these findings, the government of the United Kingdom updated its Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill to include octopuses, crabs, and lobsters. However, the impact was minimal as the update did not require changes in fishing practices or consumption. 

In January of 2023, the only octopus farm in the United States was closed. This represented a great victory for animal welfare advocates. The farm, which had been operating in Hawaii, was supposedly a tourist attraction and research facility. Unfortunately, there were darker intentions. It was discovered that the farm intended to sell both octopus ink and meat. Sadly, octopus farms still exist in other parts of the world. 

Leaked plans from a proposed octopus farm in Spain have sparked fury and disgust due to their cruelty. The commercial farm would kill millions of octopus a year using ‘ice slurry’ baths. This horrific process would see the octopus submerged alive in freezing water. They would undergo a long, tortuous death before being sold as meat. A report issued by the Animal rights organization, Eurogroup for Animals, details other cruel conditions that the farm would subject octopuses too. Eating octopus should be unacceptable under all circumstances, but especially when they are subjected to extreme lifelong cruelty!

Octopuses are intelligent, sentient creatures who would undergo immense stress and suffering as part of the farming process. These creatures are playful and self-aware, with their own individual personalities. Evidence also shows that they are capable of experiencing emotional pain.  Additionally, they are solitary creatures who would experience extremely adverse effects if kept in dense populations. Protest the farming of octopuses by signing this petition telling Nueva Pescanova to Stop Its Plans to Build the World’s First Octopus Farm! 

Show that you think eating octopus should be unacceptable by signing this petition!

Not Your by Tiny Rescue: Animal Collection

Related Content: 

• Beachgoers and Wildlife Experts Save Stranded Octopus
• Why We Must Reject Octopus Farming Before It Begins
• Octopuses Can Redesign Their Brains When They Get Cold
• Petition: Tell Nueva Pescanova to Drop Its Plans to Build World’s First Octopus Farm
• Conservationists Outraged at Opening of World’s First Octopus Farm

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