CALIFORNIA PASSES LANDMARK BILL TO BAN OCTOPUS FARMING AND COMMERCIAL SALES

California passes landmark bill to ban octopus farming and commercial sales. Governer Gavin Newsom has signed the ground-breaking bill into law.

California has made history by enacting a bill that bans octopus farming both on land and in water, and prohibits the sale of farmed octopus products within the state. This legislation, known as the California Oppose Cruelty to Octopuses (OCTO) Act and signed in on Sept. 27, is now the second law of its kind globally.

The OCTO Act, co-authored by Assemblymembers Steve Bennett (D-38) and Laura Friedman (D-44), addresses critical ethical and environmental issues surrounding octopus farming. The bill, which received unanimous approval from the California Senate in August, represents a significant step forward in animal welfare and environmental protection.

“The passing of the OCTO Act demonstrates California’s leadership in protecting wildlife. This is how law-making should be done: before investments of financial and human capital are made. These intelligent creatures are not suited for concentrated ocean farming environments. I appreciate our sponsors and supporters for their advocacy,” said Assemblymember Steve Bennett.

The OCTO Act amplifies the message that the time to act, and the time to protect our environment, is now. It is preceded by related proposed legislative initiatives in Washington state, which was signed into law this March, and a federal, bipartisan bill (OCTOPUS Act) introduced in Congress in July. Aquatic Life Institute, which has supported the legislations by providing expert research and more, believes that the continued momentum signifies undeniable progress in the effort to protect against the environmental, ethical, and public health challenges associated with octopus farming.

The OCTO Act is co-sponsored by the Animal Legal Defense Fund and Social Compassion in Legislation, and has been supported in evidence and expert testimony by Aquatic Life Institute and Animal Rights Initiative, and in numbers by the Aquatic Animal Alliance, with 134 coalition member organisation signing a letter of support to the California State Senate Appropriations Committee.

Tessa Gonzalez, Head of Research at Aquatic Life Institute, served as an expert witness in presenting the OCTO Act to the California State Assembly Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee on April 9, 2024.

“The case against octopus farming is clear and compelling. Aquatic Life Institute applauds California for recognising the ethical imperative and ecological necessity of this legislation. The potential for environmental degradation, disease outbreaks, and reputational harm to seafood industries far outweigh any perceived benefits,” said Gonzalez. “By supporting a ban on octopus farming and farmed octopus importation, Californians are sending a powerful message that they value compassion over cruelty, sustainability over exploitation, and stewardship over short-term gain.”

As there are currently no octopus farms in California, the OCTO Act proactively safeguards octopuses by addressing potential concerns before commercial octopus farming and sales develop. This forward-thinking legislation integrates considerations of animal welfare, environmental sustainability, and public health into future regulatory frameworks, ensuring the protection of these intelligent and sentient beings before intensive industrial practices are established.

The environmental, welfare, and public health implications of octopus farming are manifold. These carnivorous animals require diets rich in marine ingredients, exacerbating the pressure on already declining wild fish populations and undermining global sustainable development goals. The overuse of antibiotics in aquaculture has been linked to the emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria, with potential spill-over effects into human populations. As widely documented, octopuses are highly intelligent and complex animals that suffer greatly in captivity due to their solitary and inquisitive nature. Several scientists have raised significant concerns about the practice of octopus farming, as conditions of intensive farming and extreme confinement are inherently unsuitable for their well-being, leading to stress, aggression, and unnatural behaviours such as cannibalism.  Furthermore, there are no approved humane slaughter methods for these animals. For additional research and information, please refer to ALI’s campaign page.

For background, Aquatic Life Institute implements a global campaign that aims to increase public and legislative pressure to achieve a regulatory ban on the practice of octopus farming and reduce future chances of these farms being created in other jurisdictions around the world. Additionally, the organisation works with corporations on procurement policies banning the purchase of farmed octopus. Through Aquatic Life Institute’s ongoing work with global seafood certification schemes to ensure all seafood production prioritises high-welfare practices, RSPCA and Friend of the Sea agreed to produce the first statements prohibiting the certification of any form of octopus/cephalopod farming. Both have recognised the necessity of banning octopus farming before it starts, acknowledging that it is impossible to guarantee high welfare conditions for this species due to its behavioural needs, sentience, and carnivorous diet.