This new bill could ban commercial octopus farming in the United States
The Opposing the Cultivation and Trade of Octopus Produced through Unethical Strategies (OCTOPUS) Act aims to prohibit the intensive breeding of octopuses and ban imports of octopus products from international farms.
A new bill to ban commercial octopus farming and any imported products associated with the practice has been introduced in the U.S. Senate.
The Opposing the Cultivation and Trade of Octopus Produced through Unethical Strategies (OCTOPUS) Act (S. 4810), would preemptively protect octopuses from intensive farming conditions before the industry can develop in the U.S.
If passed, The OCTOPUS Act would impose a civil fine of up to $100,000 for each violation but has exceptions for certain practices, including aquarium displays, breeding programs and research purposes. Anyone importing octopus meat into the U.S. will also be required to certify that it was not produced through commercial farming.
“Octopuses are among the most intelligent creatures in the oceans. And they belong at sea, not suffering on a factory farm,” said Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI). “My bipartisan bill with Senator Murkowski would preemptively prevent U.S. companies from participating in this brutal practice before it takes root.”
This legislation comes in response to plans for the world's first commercial octopus farm. The Spanish corporation Nueva Pescanova is working to open the farm at the Port of Las Palmas on Gran Canaria island, where over one million octopuses will be raised and slaughtered annually for human consumption.
Although there are currently no plans for an industrial octopus farm in the U.S., legislators are championing efforts to halt the sector in its tracks. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), decided to act to "prevent U.S. companies from participating in this brutal practice before it takes root."
Efforts are also being undertaken at the state level, with Washington officially banning octopus farming, and Hawaii and California introducing similar legislation.
Octopus farming so far
Since knowledge of the octopus farm became public in 2021 when Nueva Pescanova applied for necessary permits, scientists, conservationists, politicians, and animal advocates have opposed the controversial new plant.
"They're one of the most rapidly growing animals known in the world, but they grow by eating other animals," Sy Montgomery, author of The Soul of an Octopus, told NPR earlier this year. "So I think there's just too much of a risk to the environment. I think it is extremely cruel."
More than 50,000 Species Unite supporters signed a petition expressing urgent concerns about the ethics of farming octopuses, an animal that has never successfully been bred and raised in captivity due to complexities surrounding their diet, health, and anatomy.
Critics of octopus farming welcomed The OCTOPUS Act, pointing to their sentience and capability to suffer as key reasons to prohibit the practice before it ramps up across the world.
“Scientists have proven octopuses are complex, intelligent creatures who can feel a full range of emotions. Instead of exploiting them, we must protect this dynamic species who suffer terribly in confined settings,” said Animal Legal Defense Fund Legislative Affairs Manager Allison Ludtke. “The Animal Legal Defense Fund applauds Sen. Whitehouse and Sen. Murkowski for taking the first step to ensure the United States sets a global precedent for octopuses’ welfare.”
Environmentalists have also been opposing Nueva Pescanova’s plans, arguing that octopus farming could have problematic environmental consequences.
They state that Octopus aquaculture facilities may increase nitrogen and phosphorus runoff, leading to pollution, algal blooms, and low-oxygen dead zones that disrupt marine ecosystems.
Activists also point to the use of antibiotics and pesticides to control diseases and parasites, similar to practices in salmon farms, which can also harm wild fish and disrupt food chains.
Currently, Nueva Pescanova is seeking permits for its Canary Island facility, with the Canary Islands government "demanding a more comprehensive impact assessment" from the seafood company.
Species Unite submitted its petition, signed by 52,781 supporters, to the Spanish Government and European Union. Unfortunately, their response was not sufficient and shows us that they are not ready to do the right thing when it comes to protecting octopuses from becoming the next victims of factory farming.
Their response stated in part: “As regards animal welfare, as you mention in your letter, the existing animal welfare legislation is not applicable to invertebrate animal species and there are currently no EU rules for the protection of octopuses kept for farming purposes” They went on to note that the European Commission plans to look into this issue between now and 2030!
That is unacceptable. Octopuses cannot wait that long when the threat of factory farming is getting closer every day.
Please join us in demanding that the European Commission update their existing animal welfare legislation to cover invertebrate animal species, including octopuses, now - you can add your name here.
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