Octopuses rank among the most intelligent creatures on our planet, showcasing remarkable abilities such as puzzle-solving, tool use, and a knack for escaping nearly any enclosure. They also possess the extraordinary capability to recognize individual humans.
Tragically, an emerging industry seeks to turn these sentient beings into commodities. Commercial octopus farming, which forces these solitary animals into overcrowded, barren tanks, is not only cruel and unnecessary, but it also is an environmental disaster waiting to happen.
To prevent any issues from arising, U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) have reintroduced the Opposing the Cultivation and Trade of Octopus Produced through Unethical Strategies (OCTOPUS) Act, also referred to as S.1947.
The proposed legislation aims to prohibit commercial octopus farming throughout the United States and restrict the importation of farmed octopus from abroad. Additionally, it mandates importers to provide certification ensuring that no farmed octopus is entering the country. The act also instructs NOAA to collect data on the methods of octopus harvesting involved in international trade.
Backed by the Animal Legal Defense Fund and other leading animal protection organizations, this bill serves as a proactive measure to prevent the emergence of a cruel and environmentally hazardous industry before it takes root in the U.S.
Farming octopuses is fundamentally incompatible with their biology. These animals have high cognitive and behavioral needs that cannot be met in captivity. Farming conditions often lead to extreme stress, aggression, and high mortality rates.
“The OCTOPUS Act is a landmark step toward protecting some of the ocean’s most charismatic and intelligent creatures from commercial exploitation and stopping a cruel, unsustainable industry that would also put marine ecosystems at risk. ALDF applauds Senator Whitehouse and Senator Murkowski for their foresight in working to prevent this industry from taking hold in the U.S.,” said Allison Ludtke, legislative affairs manager at ALDF.
The slaughtering practices in octopus farming are alarmingly inhumane, frequently involving methods that cause prolonged suffering. Tragically, clubbing, slicing, asphyxiation, and chilling are still widely used, inflicting significant pain on these intelligent animals.
In 2021, the U.K. officially recognized octopuses as sentient beings through its Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act, drawing on comprehensive scientific research. While the U.S. has not yet adopted a similar measure at the federal level, the proposed OCTOPUS Act represents a critical step toward achieving that recognition.
The environmental risks are also significant. Like other forms of aquaculture, octopus farms would generate nitrogen and phosphorus waste, fueling pollution and ocean dead zones. The use of antibiotics and pesticides could leak into the marine environment, harming wild species and disrupting ecosystems.
“Aquatic Life Institute, along with many aligned organizations from around the world, applauds Senators Whitehouse and Murkowski for their determination in the reintroduction of the OCTOPUS Act. By establishing future-proof, progressive policies before unnecessary harms are created by octopus farming, the U.S. is signifying its commitment to leadership in animal welfare, environmental protection, and public health,” said Sophika Kostyniuk, Managing Director of Aquatic Life Institute.
Washington and California have already implemented laws prohibiting octopus farming, setting a precedent for other states to follow suit. However, there is an urgent need for a nationwide ban to address this issue comprehensively.
Octopuses belong in the wild, not in factory farms. Their intelligence, sensitivity, and complex needs make farming them both cruel and unsustainable. The OCTOPUS Act is a critical step toward ensuring that the U.S. does not become complicit in this inhumane and environmentally reckless practice.
