Octopus
THE CHALLENGE
In 2023, LOW was appointed by a UK-based philanthropic entity to scope out the work that would be needed to prevent the establishment of the world’s first large-scale octopus farm in the Canary Islands and secure a permanent ban on octopus farming in the EU.
Plans to open an octopus farm in Spain’s Canary Islands had alarmed large parts of the scientific community, due to the cruelty involved in its proposed slaughtering methods and the fact that octopuses are sentient beings. Our client’s objective was to prevent the octopus farm from opening, and get the practice of octopus farming banned.
DELIVERABLES
Campaign Strategy
Policy Consulting
Communications
THE SOLUTION
LOW devised a campaign strategy that included:
Designing a research report on the economic and environmental impacts of octopus farming, as well as the impact on octopuses’ welfare, which would act as a media briefing
The creation of a lobbying alliance consisting of animal welfare organisations, environmental organisations, scientists, and politicians
A strategy for a legal challenge to the planned farm
A European Citizens Initiative petition for citizens to express their opposition
An electoral pledge to be made by MEPs prior to the EP elections to support the ban
A media campaign to force a ban on the import of farmed octopus for sale or consumption into the EU
An outreach campaign to sustainable investment platforms to dissuade any financial investment in octopus farming
The threat of a tourism boycott to the Canary Islands (if the farm were to go ahead)
A ‘no farmed octopus served here’ campaign for consumers, chefs, and food retailers