Assembly Bill 3162, known as the Oppose Cruelty to Octopuses (OCTO) Act, has been introduced in the California Assembly by Assemblyman Steve Bennett. The bill aims to ban both octopus farming within the state and the importation of farmed octopus into California. The rationale behind the bill stems from concerns about the intelligence and well-being of octopuses, with evidence suggesting that current farming practices may cause undue stress and cruelty to these creatures. The bill has received support from organizations like the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF), which sees it as an opportunity to prevent unnecessary harm to octopuses. However, the octopus farming industry and seafood importers are expected to oppose the bill, arguing that it goes too far and fails to address the issue of declining wild octopus populations. While Bennett’s bill is set to be heard in Assembly Committees soon, similar legislation in Hawaii and Washington is also under consideration this year.
