Federal Bill to Ban Octopus Farming and Commercial Imports Reintroduced, Momentum Grows

The bill is poised to become the first country-wide law banning commercial octopus aquaculture operations and sales.

A federal bill aimed at preventing the commercial farming of octopuses, along with the importation and sale of farmed octopuses, has been reintroduced by U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK). Initially introduced in 2024, this bipartisan legislation is gaining momentum at the federal level, following the introduction of similar laws in several U.S. states, including California and Washington.

The OCTOPUS Act of 2025

The bill, formally known as the “Opposing the Cultivation and Trade of Octopus Produced Through Unethical Strategies Act of 2025,” or the “OCTOPUS Act of 2025,” seeks to ban any commercial octopus aquaculture operations within the United States and its exclusive economic zone. Additionally, it prohibits the importation or re-exportation of commercially farmed octopus, including all living or dead specimens, parts, derivatives, and products containing these.

“Aquatic Life Institute and allied organizations worldwide commend Senators Whitehouse and Murkowski for their commitment in reintroducing the OCTOPUS Act. This proactive legislation aims to avert potential harms caused by octopus farming, establishing the U.S. as a leader in animal welfare, environmental conservation, and public health,” stated Sophika Kostyniuk, Managing Director of Aquatic Life Institute.

Addressing Inhumane Practices

If passed, the OCTOPUS Act would protect octopuses from cruel farming practices, reinforcing the U.S.’s position as a global frontrunner in animal welfare.

“Octopuses are intelligent, sentient beings that do not belong in commercial farms,” noted Whitehouse in a press release. “I’m thrilled to reintroduce this bill alongside Senator Murkowski to ban this practice and keep octopuses in their natural habitat. We urge Congress to heed the call from over 100 leading ocean scientists globally and quickly pass our bill.”

Advocacy and Support

This bill reflects ongoing advocacy efforts from several organizations, including the Aquatic Life Institute, Animal Legal Defense Fund, among others. ALI has actively supported this legislation through discussions with Senator Whitehouse’s office and by providing essential scientific data to underpin the bill’s evidence-based approach.

“Research indicates that octopuses are sentient and emotionally complex. The conditions required for their farming—overcrowded tanks and inadequate stimulation—are fundamentally cruel and do not meet their basic needs,” stated Allison Ludtke, Legislative Affairs Manager at the Animal Legal Defense Fund. “The OCTOPUS Act is a landmark initiative aimed at protecting some of the ocean’s most intelligent and charismatic species from exploitation while safeguarding marine ecosystems.”

Environmental and Public Health Concerns

The implications of octopus farming extend into various domains, including environmental welfare and public health. These carnivorous creatures necessitate diets rich in marine ingredients, which intensify the strain on dwindling wild fish stocks and compromise global sustainability objectives. The overuse of antibiotics in aquaculture has also been associated with the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which could pose risks to human health.

Moreover, numerous scientists have voiced substantial concerns regarding octopus farming, citing that intensive farming conditions are detrimental to their well-being, leading to stress and harmful behaviors such as cannibalism. A lack of humane slaughter methods further complicates the issue.

Call to Action

This pertinent legislation serves as a clarion call that action is required now to safeguard our environment. The federal bill is complemented by proposed legislative initiatives in states including New Jersey, Connecticut, Hawaii, Oregon, North Carolina, and Massachusetts, in addition to existing laws in California and Washington.

Furthermore, ALI has collaborated with organizations like the RSPCA and Friend of the Sea, producing statements that refuse the certification of any form of octopus farming, acknowledging the impossibility of ensuring suitable welfare conditions for these creatures.

Photo by Oleksandr Sushko on Unsplash