Octopuses, with their enigmatic behaviors and complex anatomy, have long fascinated researchers and the general public alike. As our understanding of these intelligent, sentient beings deepens, they are increasingly recognized not only for their intrinsic value but also as potent symbols for broader environmental and animal welfare concerns. This article, summarized by David Church and based on a study by Greenberg (2021), delves into the dual-edged sword of octopus popularity: while their rising fame has led to greater appreciation and legal protections in regions like the E.U., the U.K., and Canada, it has also spurred a significant increase in their consumption, posing a threat to their survival.
The paper highlights the alarming trend of overfishing, which has nearly decimated species such as the larger Pacific striped octopus near Brazil. It argues for leveraging the octopus’s newfound popularity to advocate for their protection and address major environmental issues. By examining the gaps in fisheries data, the need for better conservation practices, and the impact of pollution, the author makes a compelling case for using octopuses as a rallying point for environmental advocacy. Through this lens, octopuses emerge not just as creatures of wonder, but as champions of environmental protection, embodying the urgent need for sustainable practices and greater awareness of our impact on the natural world.
Summary By: David Church | Original Study By: Greenberg, P. (2021) | Published: July 4, 2024
With octopus consumption on the rise, the author of this paper believes there are ways to use our understanding of octopuses as symbols for environmental and animal welfare concerns.
Since the 19th century, researchers have been fascinated by octopuses’ unique behaviors and anatomy. With the rise of the Internet, YouTube, and today’s video technology, the general public has likewise begun to recognize octopuses as intelligent, sentient beings. While historically people viewed octopuses as dangerous sea monsters, today they’re gaining popularity through books, documentaries, and viral videos. Octopuses are even granted legal protection in places like the E.U., the U.K., and Canada.
However, alongside these trends there has also been a steady rise in octopus consumption. World octopus harvests nearly doubled between 1980-2014. According to the author of this paper, exploitation is threatening the existence of octopuses. One example is the larger Pacific striped octopus found near Brazil, which has nearly disappeared due to overfishing. Although not extinct, there are indications that the species is highly vulnerable to human activities.
In this paper, the author argues that advocates should capitalize on octopuses’ rising popularity to campaign for their protection. They recommend using octopuses as a symbol for several major environmental problems, including at least one issue that overlaps with animal advocacy.
Fisheries Data
The author claims that data from the world’s fisheries are, in general, either unexamined or poorly managed. Octopus fisheries present a particularly big problem, as we still don’t have a complete understanding of octopus taxonomy. This means it is difficult to understand the number and types of octopuses used in agriculture.
The problem also highlights the need for classification of octopuses across the world. There are more than 300 species recorded, but there is no certainty on the total number of different octopuses that exist. As a consequence, the author believes that octopuses could be a symbol for the need to improve global fisheries data collection and analysis.
Conservation
According to the author, octopuses are vulnerable to exploitation because they are easy to catch and process and lead short lives. Octopus populations have been shown to benefit when fishing grounds are closed at certain times throughout the year, and the author believes they could serve as a “poster child” for conservation initiatives such as marine protected areas. Communicating such measures to the public could revolve around “saving octopuses’ homes.”
Pollution
Pollution as a result of human activities is a major problem for octopuses. One expert cited in the article explains that water deemed “drinkable” for humans could be deadly for octopuses. In the author’s view, octopuses can act as an early warning sign for environmental threats — if octopuses are suffering, there’s a chance that other animals (and even humans) may follow suit.
For example, giant Pacific octopuses are suffering as a result of chemical changes in coastal waters that occur when fossil fuels are burned. Because these octopuses are large, charismatic megafauna, the author recommends turning them into a “mascot” for activism against marine pollution.
Aquaculture
Octopuses need to eat a lot of protein and produce a high amount of waste relative to their size. As a result, farming octopuses can be difficult, expensive, and inefficient. Even beyond the ethical concerns of farming such intelligent beings, the author believes that octopus farms are a prime example to use when educating the public about the environmental harms of aquaculture.
Unique Behavior
Octopuses are known for disguising themselves, escaping from predators, and generally exhibiting intriguing behaviors. Because of this, the author wonders whether octopuses could be a “mascot” to attract unique audiences to support environmental causes. Advocates can also promote octopuses as a symbol for inclusivity and diversity in society, thus encouraging more people to view them positively.
Short Lifespan
Finally, because most octopus species do not live more than two years, the author feels that octopuses could be a symbol for the brief nature of existence and the importance of appreciating what we have. This supports the message that humans should take care of the environment while we still can.
Human-octopus relationships, much like octopuses themselves, are unique and complex. Moving forward, we may need to reexamine the way we relate to these animals in order to protect them. Promoting octopuses as ambassadors for key environmental causes is one way that animal advocates can make a difference for octopuses now and in the future.
Notice: This content was initially published on Faunalytics.org and may not necessarily reflect the views of the Humane Foundation.
