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California bans the breeding of octopuses for human consumption

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Californians are banned from raising octopus for consumption under a law signed Friday by Gov. Gavin Newsom.

AB 3162 prohibits aquaculture of all octopus species for human consumption. It also prohibits business owners and operators from possessing, selling or transporting octopuses derived from aquaculture.

According to co-sponsor Animal Legal Defense Fund, California is joining Washington in banning octopus farming. It's a “proactive” move because “there is no known large-scale octopus farming and harvesting in the state,” NBC Los Angeles reported.

Rep. Steve Bennett, one of the lead authors of AB 3162, said in a press release from the Animal Legal Defense Fund that the bill “demonstrates California’s leadership in protecting wildlife.” He also said that “these intelligent creatures” are not suited to “concentrated agricultural environments.”

The bill addresses animal welfare concerns and how breeding these animals would decimate fish stocks. According to the bill, octopuses are “intelligent,” “conscious,” and “sentient beings” capable of experiencing emotions such as pain, stress, and fear. They retain information, can learn, use tools, and “exhibit cognitive and behavioral complexity.”

The Animal Legal Defense Fund also cited environmental concerns about octopus farming. For example, octopus aquaculture poses an “increased risk of nitrogen and phosphorus runoff,” which can lead to pollution and potentially algae blooms.

What is aquaculture?

According to the US Department of Agriculture, aquaculture is “the production of aquatic organisms under controlled conditions.” According to the California Aquaculture Association, these aquaculture plants and animals can be used to replenish lakes and ponds or be sold to restaurants, among other uses. According to the National Aquaculture Association, more than half of the seafood consumed worldwide comes from aquaculture farms.

Paris Barraza is a featured reporter covering California news at The Desert Sun. Reach her at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @ParisBarraza.

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