An octopus processing plant in O Carballiño, Galicia, Spain, has shifted entirely to sourcing octopuses from Mauritania and Morocco over the past decade due to scarcity in local waters. Known as Spain’s “octopus capital,” the town is famous for its annual festival, numerous pulperías, and a century-old seafood industry. However, long-term declines in wild populations, intensified by rising international demand, have led to the closure of Galicia’s octopus fishery for three months in the summer to allow recovery. Scientific experts attribute population fluctuations to both overfishing and changing oceanographic conditions caused by climate change, which disrupt nutrient-rich upwelling critical for octopus survival. The Spanish National Research Council reported that weakened upwelling patterns reduce food availability, lowering octopus numbers regardless of fishing activity.

In response, companies are exploring aquaculture as a means to stabilize supply. Seafood giant Nueva Pescanova is developing an industrial farm capable of producing up to one million octopuses annually, while Grupo Profand operates a research hatchery to address breeding challenges. Proponents claim farming could bolster food security and reduce fishing pressure, noting the species’ rapid growth rate and efficient energy use. However, animal welfare groups have condemned the initiative as inhumane, citing the species’ high intelligence, solitary nature, and the environmental ramifications of high-density farming. Critics also warn of increased pollution and overfishing of smaller fish used in feed. Legislative opposition has emerged internationally, with U.S. states such as Washington and California banning octopus farming and sales and a federal bill under consideration. Experts remain divided, with some urging the development of low-impact aquaculture alternatives, while others insist octopus farming is inevitable and must be guided by best practices to mitigate ecological and ethical concerns.