A bill that would both ban octopus farming in California and ban farmed octopus from being imported into the state was introduced in the Assembly on Wednesday.
Assembly Bill 3162, authored by Assemblyman Steve Bennett (D-Ojai), would specifically prohibit a person from engaging in an aquaculture activity in the state that involves the propagation, cultivation, maintenance, or harvest of any species of octopus for the purpose of human consumption. The bill, also known as the Oppose Cruelty to Octopuses (OCTO) Act, would also prohibit a business owner or operator from knowingly engaging in the sale in the state of octopus that is the result of an aquaculture activity that involves the propagation, cultivation, maintenance, or harvest of any species of octopus. Finally, AB 3162 makes it clear that “aquaculture activity” would cover both ocean-based and land-based farming methods.
Assemblyman Bennett wrote the bill because of evidence showing that octopi are intelligent creatures, that current farming methods may be major stressors on them, and that breeding and harvesting methods can be seen as cruel.
“These highly functional creatures have captured our fascination for as long as we have been telling stories,” Bennett said in a press release. “Octopuses are primarily solitary creatures that are not suited for large scale breeding. They have demonstrated an aptitude for learning and their acute intelligence is becoming well recorded among the scientific community.”
“Outside the U.S., there is a growing trend of recognizing the sentience of this eight-legged cephalopod and the inappropriateness of captive breeding and harvesting it. AB 3162 will prevent needless, systemic harm to these captivating animals.”
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