How Octopuses Are Saving the Day (and Our Diets)
The octopus, a fascinating marine creature, is celebrated on International Octopus Day. It is a valuable source of nutrition and contributes significantly to Mexico's economy. The country is a major producer of octopus, with Yucatán leading the way.
Every now and then, the world chooses to come together and honor something special. Sometimes it’s pizza, sometimes it’s world peace, and, rather peculiarly, on October 8, we celebrate the octopus. Yes, that eight-legged marine genius of the deep, forever lurking in the shadowy underworld of our oceans, outwitting scientists, confounding fishermen, and, every now and then, sneaking out of its tanks like a mollusk escape artist on a day off from Ocean’s Eleven.
Since the early 2000s, this day has been marked on calendars in international forums with a singular purpose: to give a nod to one of the most intelligent and mysterious creatures on the planet. Not only does the octopus stun us with its camouflage skills, which could easily rival the best military stealth technology, but it also plays a crucial role in supporting the livelihoods of countless fishermen across the globe, particularly in Mexico. And let's be honest, if the octopus can figure out how to unscrew a jar from the inside, it probably deserves a little recognition.
