Currently the Blue Reef Aquarium in Hastings, East Sussex, England houses a Giant Pacific Octopus. The Octopus is living there in a tank approximately 10ft x 10ft x 7ft. Giant Pacific octopuses can grow up to 30 feet, although the average size is 9 to 16 feet. The fact is 1) "Octopuses are highly intelligent creatures, giant Pacific octopuses have learned to open jars, mimic other octopuses, and solve mazes in lab tests." 2)They are top predators, they hunt at night, surviving primarily on shrimp, clams, lobsters, and fish, but have been known to attack and eat sharks as well as birds, using their sharp, beaklike mouths to puncture and tear flesh." 3) In it's natural habitat itis usually found at a depth of around 215ft (although can be found a lot deeper). A 10ft x 10ft x 7ft tank hardly seems fair. Based on these facts it is incredibly cruel to hold such a creature captive.
We urge Blue Reef Aquarium to please please please release it into the wild or if this is not possible due to only being used to only captive environments (I don't know the history of this octopus) then at the very least to move it to a much larger enclosure.
Please sign this petition and pass it on and call Hastings Borough Council who are responsible for regulating the conditions.
Thank you.
