What if world leaders could follow the example of copepods!

The ocean teems with an almost unimaginable number of copepods, microscopic crustaceans that average just one millimeter in length. If laid end-to-end, their collective length would circle the equator 25 billion times, or reach Alpha Centauri twelve times round-trip. These astronomical numbers are fortunate, as nearly all marine life depends on copepods.

A new study, involving researchers from Norway, concludes that these tiny animals possess a mind of their own, or an inner world. They appear to be conscious of themselves, their experiences, and their environment. Copepods use memory to anticipate the likely consequences of their choices and learn from them afterward. This capacity for subjective experience transforms them from mere "things" into "someone."

Copepods feed on algae and bacteria, and swimming is a significant effort for such small creatures in the dense ocean water. They actively select the most nutritious particles, remembering past feeding locations to decide whether to consume available food or wait for better options. Crucially, they can also learn to identify and avoid toxic or inedible substances, such as microplastics, based on past negative experiences.

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This capacity for subjective experience transforms them from mere "things" into "someone."

Their ability to learn what is toxic or inedible is vital, as all fish consume copepods at some stage of their lives. The study highlights that copepods assess their surroundings to make simple choices, like which particles to eat, but also whether to eat at all or hide from predators. Small movements can attract hunters, and copepods use sensory hairs on their antennae as pressure wave sensors to detect threats.

Research indicates that copepods reduce or stop feeding under noisy environmental conditions, like seismic activity or ship traffic. When a fish moves through the water, it creates pressure waves that copepods can perceive, triggering an escape response. This involves activating muscles for rapid swimming, allowing them to outpace animals ten times their size.

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How would life in the sea be if copepods could not learn what is toxic or inedible? We dare not speculate.