Detalle de: Octopods Aquaculture

The interest in the aquaculture of octopod cephalopods is increasing worldwide due to the higher demand for their consumption, the problems facing the stock assessment, and octopus fisheries management to cope with this demand. The present chapter deals with its viability, the challenges it faces and the latest advances in several aspects such as rearing technology, feeding, nutrition, reproduction, physiology, metabolism, microbiome, health and welfare, among others, along the octopod life cycle. Although the number of octopod species with potential for aquaculture is growing every day, this chapter has mainly focused on the species for which the greatest progress has been made or relevant information is available such as Octopus vulgaris , Octopus maya, Enteroctopus megalocyathus, Octopus sinensis and Octopus tetricus . However, as the cultivation of cephalopods progresses towards commercial production, opinions have emerged opposing its development arguing the intelligence and carnivorous character of octopods. However, this position raises the problem of how to meet a growing global demand without overexploiting wild stocks. In this regard, the present chapter highlights that research efforts should be directed to the definition of cost-effective farming protocols ensuring sustainable production, and a reduction of stress and potential suffering of cultured octopods.