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New Chilean Bill Seeks To Ban Octopus Farming Nationwide

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New Chilean Bill Seeks To Ban Octopus Farming Nationwide

Chile has become the first country in Latin America to propose a nationwide ban on octopus farming.

Aquatic Life Institute is an international non-profit organisation that works on advancing aquatic animal welfare in both aquaculture and wild capture fisheries globally

Bill 17913-12 was introduced this week by Representative Marisela Santibáñez with support from seven additional congress representatives, and now moves to the Commission of Environment and Natural Resources to be discussed. This bill would prohibit the intensive farming of octopuses, focusing on the potential harmful effects that this industry could pose for the environment. The bill was introduced by local Chilean organization Fundación Veg, with additional support, technical information, and draft language provided by Aquatic Life Institute (ALI). Both organisations are part of the Aquatic Animal Alliance, a global coalition of over 180 organisations working to improve the welfare of aquatic animals in the food system.

The bill argues that a ban on octopus farming is urgent to protect marine ecosystems, reduce public health risks and support food security for coastal communities. Lawmakers aim to act preemptively as octopus farming projects emerge in Mexico and Spain, amid growing evidence that the practice could violate animal welfare principles, sustainable development goals, and species conservation standards, and cause lasting harm to the environment and public health.

Growing global push against octopus farming

Similar legislation has been introduced in the United States, with formal bans already in place in California and Washington, and bills under consideration in New Jersey, Oregon, Massachusetts, Connecticut and at the federal level through the OCTOPUS Act (S.4810). The Aquatic Life Institute, which has supported each of these efforts, believes Chile’s proposal reflects growing global momentum to prohibit octopus farming as awareness of its environmental, public health and animal welfare risks becomes more widely known.

If enacted, Bill 17913-12 would safeguard octopuses from inhumane farming practices and position Chile as a global frontrunner in animal welfare and environmental protection.

“As a country rich in marine biodiversity and coastal communities who depend on healthy oceans, Chile cannot ignore the lessons from other nations where intensive aquaculture has brought serious harm. Farming solitary and carnivorous animals like octopuses in confinement is incompatible with the values of sustainability and the scientific evidence of potential harms. This bill reflects Chile’s commitment to protecting both animals and our marine ecosystems for future generations”, declared Catalina Lopez, certified aquatic veterinarian and director of the Aquatic Animal Alliance, in a press release. 

Animal welfare and environmental concerns

The environmental, welfare and public health implications of octopus farming are manifold. These carnivorous animals require diets rich in marine ingredients, exacerbating the pressure on already declining wild fish populations and undermining global sustainable development goals. The overuse of antibiotics in aquaculture has been linked to the emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria, with potential spillover effects into human populations. As widely documented, octopuses are highly intelligent and complex animals that suffer greatly in captivity due to their solitary and inquisitive nature. Several scientists have raised significant concerns about the practice of octopus farming, as conditions of intensive farming and extreme confinement are inherently unsuitable for their well-being, leading to stress, aggression and unnatural behaviours such as cannibalism.  Furthermore, there are no approved humane slaughter methods for these animals. The ALI has published further research and background information on its campaign website.

“Chile has a unique opportunity to act in advance and prevent the development of an industry that has already proven globally to be unviable and environmentally unsustainable. At the same time, scientific evidence is clear: octopuses are highly intelligent animals with needs that cannot be met in captivity. Their industrial farming not only poses serious environmental and health risks but also represents an ethical setback that our country cannot allow,” said Ignacia Uribe, founder and CEO of Fundación Veg.

The proposal follows broader international moves against octopus farming. The Aquatic Life Institute has collaborated with organisations including the RSPCA and Friend of the Sea, which have issued statements rejecting certification of octopus or other cephalopod farming. These groups argue that welfare standards cannot be met for such species due to their complex behaviour, sentience and carnivorous diet.

Source: The Fish Site

A Statement from the Executive Director of CAAWO on the Passing of Dr. Jane Goodall

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A Statement from the Executive Director of CAAWO on the Passing of Dr. Jane Goodall

Tribute to Dr. Jane Goodall

From the Coalition of African Animal Welfare Organisations (CAAWO)

It is with the deepest sorrow that we at CAAWO mourn the passing of Dr. Jane Goodall, a true titan of conservation and a lifelong champion for the voiceless. The world has lost a guiding light, and her absence will be profoundly felt across the African continent and around the globe.

Dr. Goodall’s pioneering research in Tanzania not only revolutionised our understanding of chimpanzees, but also redefined the relationship between humanity and the animal kingdom. Her work demonstrated the profound intelligence, emotion, and social complexity of the beings with whom we share this planet. She was a visionary who saw the intricate connections between the welfare of animals, the health of our environment, and the well-being of human communities.

At CAAWO, we have always been guided by the principle that the destinies of humans, animals, and the environment are inextricably linked. Dr. Goodall’s life and work embodied this philosophy. Her community-centred conservation efforts, which placed local populations at the heart of environmental protection, continue to inspire our mission to foster sustainable development that benefits all sentient beings.

Her legacy lies not only in her scientific breakthroughs, but also in the millions of lives she touched through her advocacy, the founding of the Jane Goodall Institute, and the creation of the global youth program Roots & Shoots. She ignited a passion for conservation in generations of young people, empowering them to be compassionate leaders and stewards of our planet.

As we reflect on her extraordinary life, we are reminded of the responsibility we bear to carry her work forward. We must continue to advocate for the welfare of all animals, protect our shared environment, and build a more compassionate and sustainable future. Her unwavering spirit and her profound love for the natural world will continue to guide us.

On behalf of the entire CAAWO family, I extend our heartfelt condolences to Dr. Goodall’s family, friends, and the countless individuals whose lives she touched. May her legacy of hope, compassion, and dedication to our planet continue to inspire us all.

With deepest sympathy,

Tozie Zokufa

Executive Director

Source: CAAWO

Animal Welfare in Pakistan: FOUR PAWS awarded at first high-level conference

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Animal Welfare in Pakistan: FOUR PAWS awarded at first high-level conference

Pakistan’s first conference on animal welfare, animal rights and environmental protection took place in Lahore on 18 and 19 January. The high-level panel consisted of political decision-makers, legal experts and NGO representatives. The keynote speeches were delivered by honorable Judges of the Islamabad High Court, whose decision in 2020 led to the closure of the desolate Marghazar Zoo in the Pakistani capital. Global animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS was represented in the panel and was honoured with an award for having conducted numerous wildlife rescues in Pakistan since 2020. The aim of the first conference of its kind was to discuss urgent solutions to improve animal welfare in the country.

The two-day conference in Lahore was well attended by a contingent of local media. Panel discussions on animal rights and animal welfare in Pakistan, global food systems and their ecological footprint took place simultaneously at several locations. Information stands and a cultural programme complemented the networking event. Veterinarian Dr Amir Khalil received an award for his efforts in Pakistan on behalf of the global animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS. These include the spectacular rescue of elephant Kaavan and the Himalayan brown bears Suzie and Bubloo in 2020 and, most recently, the family reunion of elephant Madhubala.

“The Animal Welfare Conference in Lahore is a great opportunity to raise the profile of animal welfare in Pakistan. The current Animal Welfare Act is over 100 years old and mainly penalises cruelty to animals such as physical punishment and overworking for donkeys and other working animals. There needs to be clear legislation at the national level for all animals, including wild animals,”

 Josef Pfabigan, CEO and President of FOUR PAWS

The call for national legislation for all animals

Justice Athar Minallah of the Supreme Court in Islamabad highlighted in his keynote the importance of recognizing animal rights as an acknowledgement of animals’ intrinsic value. Despite some local improvements, animal welfare in the country remains the responsibility of the individual regions. Improvement proposals for a new law are currently stalled at the livestock department in Sindh. In addition to provisions for animal health and regulations for animals in entertainment, these suggested improvements also include the protection of wild animals, such as bears and elephants.

A decision by the High Court in 2020 made an elephant fly

“The rescue of Kaavan is a story of superlatives. Never before had FOUR PAWS transported an elephant by cargo plane. We were also very lucky to be working with a global star like the musician Cher. Rescuing those animals from the neglected Marghazar Zoo would not have been possible without the support of the authorities. Only the decision of the High Court for animals to be seen as sentient beings made the rescue of Kaavan a reality. On behalf of FOUR PAWS, I would like to thank the committee for the award. We will continue to offer our support in the future to help even more animals in Pakistan,” says FOUR PAWS veterinarian Dr Amir Khalil who shares a special bond with elephant Kaavan after leading the relocation efforts.

“The wild animals rescued by FOUR PAWS are ambassadors for a species-appropriate life and for finding sustainable solutions, which we want to achieve for as many animals as possible. If new animal protection laws come into force, we stress that the positive developments will also include farm animals in Pakistan. We hope that the conference will be continued to shed even more light on the pressing issues of animal welfare in the country,” concludes Pfabigan.

Animal

Background

The Animal Welfare Act for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals dates back to 1890 and a revision is an important step forward. A successful implementation of the legal improvements and a growing awareness of animal welfare among the population are also important to improve the lives of all animals in Pakistan.

Successful FOUR PAWS rescue missions

  • The ‘loneliest elephant in the world’
    The pictures of Kaavan, the ‘loneliest elephant in the world’, went around the world in 2020. The pachyderm was rescued from the cruel conditions of Marghazar Zoo in Islamabad with the help of Free the Wild, an organisation founded by pop star Cher. In a breathtaking operation, the elephant was soon found on a cargo plane that took him to his new, species-appropriate home in Cambodia, the Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary in Siem Reap.
     
  • Madhubala: Family reunion after 15 years of separation
    In November last year, FOUR PAWS was able to reunite the elephant Madhubala with her two siblings Malika and Sonia after 15 years of separation. Sadly, Sonia died shortly afterwards of a sepsis, the result of years of inappropriate husbandry.

Source:  FOUR PAWS