Letter to the Editor
Concord Monitor
October 4, 2023
Wolrd Day for Octopuses
World Octopus Day is Sunday, October 8. It is a day to celebrate these amazing animals, and we should do that by pledging not to eat them and avoiding restaurants serving them. If you become aware of a restaurant with octopus on the menu, consider writing a brief email or letter telling them why you will not patronize their restaurant. Octopuses are considered the smartest of all the invertebrates. Because they have no bones, they can squeeze through openings as small as a coin. Octopuses have been recorded escaping captivity and are called the Houdini of the sea. They have nine brains, one in their head and one in each of their eight tentacles. They have three hearts and blue blood.
Life is becoming more difficult for all sea animals because of climate change and overfishing. Octopus populations in the wild are decreasing. So, Spain plans to open the first farm to raise octopuses for the food industry. Being solitary animals, they will suffer greatly in the crowded conditions of a farm. The slaughtering method that would be used is extremely cruel. They will be fed other sea animals, decreasing those already depleted. Aqua farms are notorious polluters. If you search online, you will find more information and a source to sign a petition to stop this octopus farm. Watch ‘My Octopus Teacher’ on Netflix for some inspiration. After viewing, you will want to protect octopuses rather than harm them.
LINDA DIONNE
Raymond