'Octopus Bill' to ban octopus farming submitted to US Congress, scientist says 'freedom for octopuses'
Some scientists have suggested that octopus farming should be stopped because cephalopods such as octopuses are so intelligent that some have even
Whitehouse, Murkowski Introduce Bipartisan Bill Banning Commercial Octopus Farming - Senator Sheldon Whitehouse
https://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/release/whitehouse-murkowski-introduce-bipartisan-bill-banning-commercial-octopus-farming/
Opposing the Cultivation and Trade of Octopus Produced through Unethical Strategies Act Introduced in the US Senate - Animal Legal Defense Fund
https://aldf.org/article/opposing-the-cultivation-and-trade-of-octopus-produced-through-unethical-strategies-act-introduced-in-the-us-senate/
The Opposing the Cultivation and Trade of Octopus Produced through Unethical Strategies Act, commonly known as the OCTOPUS Act, was introduced in Congress on July 25, 2024, and was sponsored by Democratic Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski .
'Octopuses are among the ocean's most intelligent creatures and they belong in the ocean, not suffering in factory farms. Senator Murkowski and my bipartisan legislation will preemptively stop American companies from participating in this cruel practice before it takes hold,' Whitehouse said in a statement.
'The OCTOPUS Act will aggressively protect Alaska's marine ecosystems while supporting opportunities for Alaska's wild fisheries,' Murkowski said. 'As Alaska's fishermen navigate challenging global market conditions, I will continue to advocate for the most sustainable wild fisheries in the world.' He also explained that the bill is a law to protect America's fishing industry.
The main points of the OCTOPUS method are as follows:
- Ban commercial octopus farming in the United States.
- Ban the import of commercially farmed octopus and products containing it and impose fines on violators.
- Require importers to certify that they are not importing farmed octopus.
- Requires the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to collect data on octopus harvest methods in trade programs under its jurisdiction.
Many studies have shown that octopuses are highly intelligent, but more and more research suggests that they may even be conscious. This means that octopuses are animals that can feel emotions such as pleasure and pain, and Whitehouse and others argue that it would be unethical to raise such creatures in small farms.
In addition to animal welfare concerns, some experts worry that farming octopus could release substances such as nitrogen and phosphorus into the ocean, leading to algae blooms and creating oxygen-depleted, lifeless areas, threatening marine ecosystems. There are also concerns that antibiotics and other drugs used to control disease and parasites could disrupt the marine food chain.
Why do scientists say 'Octopus farming should be stopped?' - GIGAZINE
The bill is supported by 21 organizations, including the Humane Society of the United States, according to the statement.
'Octopuses are carnivores, and commercial farming them is not sustainable because they require capturing prey,' said Jennifer Jacquet, an environmental scientist at the University of Miami. 'Also, octopuses are too intelligent, inquisitive and active to be expected to live a good life in a factory farm. This legislation is one way Americans support freedom for octopuses.'
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in Creature, Posted by log1l_ks