Too clever to eat
A chain of aquariums in the UK is calling on the public to stop consuming octopuses, arguing that these curious cephalopods are too smart to eat. "Any aquarist who has worked for any length of time with octopuses will tell you they not only think
Octopuses play, just as dolphins and dogs do, and are often mischief-makers. They camouflage their hiding places with rocks and shells and can learn to unscrew jar lids by observing humans. In a paper published in the journal Consciousness and Cognition, Canadian biologist Jennifer Mather argues that octopuses possess primary consciousness.
But octopuses are not the only smarties in the sea. Lobsters remember past acquaintances and have elaborate courtship rituals. Fish “talk” to one another underwater and form complex social relationships. As we learn more about these unique and intelligent animals, more people are recognising that all sea animals should be kept off our plates. So next time you’re at Khlong Toey or Or Tor Kor market, keep walking past the octopus and fish stalls and head for the tofu and vegetable stalls instead – you’ll be doing both animals and your body a favour.
Jason Baker
Peta Asia, Hong Kong
