In a pivotal moment for animal welfare and environmental stewardship, over 100 scientists and other experts recently published a letter to support the “Opposing the Cultivation and Trade of Octopus Produced through Unethical Strategies” Act, or OCTOPUS Act.
This proposed federal legislation would ban commercial aquaculture operations in the United States and prohibit the import of farmed octopus products into the country. As Congress considers the OCTOPUS Act, the state of Oregon finds itself at a crossroads — should we allow octopus farming within our borders or follow in the footsteps of states like Washington and California in taking a stand against this inhumane practice?
The documentary, “My Octopus Teacher,” brought the intelligence and emotional depth of octopuses into the spotlight, showcasing their ability to solve puzzles, demonstrate memory and even form relationships with humans. These cognitive traits are not just signs of sentience but also intelligence, suggesting that farming these animals would mean confining cognitively complex beings in cruel and unnatural conditions.
Scientific research backs up this portrayal. Studies have shown that octopuses are solitary, intelligent creatures that need complex environments for mental stimulation and well-being. Farming them en masse would result in extreme boredom, stress and even cannibalism. No farm, regardless of its claims to sustainability or humane treatment, could provide the level of environmental enrichment these creatures require. Additionally, no humane methods of slaughter for octopuses exist, making their farming inherently cruel. In the past, octopuses have been killed for food by clubbing or freezing them to death, which are highly painful methods of slaughter.
Besides the welfare concerns associated with octopus farming, this activity also could carry a devastating environmental toll. Any form of intensive farming has the potential to generate effluent, leading to water pollution and the destruction of surrounding ecosystems. The release of pathogens, antibiotics and other chemicals used in farming processes would not only affect the surrounding environment, but also increase the risk of antibiotic resistance, a growing global health crisis.
Moreover, octopuses are carnivorous, meaning that farming them would place additional strain on already depleting wild fish stocks, further threatening marine ecosystems. Known to be expert escape artists, the inadvertent release of farmed octopuses, who may carry zoonotic and other diseases, into the surrounding environment, could pose serious risks for wild animals. These environmental consequences make octopus farming unsustainable in the long run and a direct threat to Oregon’s natural resources, which we have long fought to protect.
Oregon has long been a leader in environmental conservation and animal welfare. Yet, while our neighboring states of Washington and California already are addressing octopus farming, Oregon remains silent on this issue. Washington’s H.B 1153 , signed into law earlier this year, explicitly prohibits octopus aquaculture in the State. Similarly, California’s recently passed bill AB-3162 makes it illegal to engage in octopus aquaculture for human consumption, and also prohibits any business owner or operator from selling, possessing, or transporting any species of octopus that is the result or product of aquaculture. California’s law underscores the growing momentum to protect these sentient beings from industrial exploitation. A similar bill has also been introduced in Hawaii.
Oregon is renowned for its strong environmental protection policies and animal welfare standards. Allowing octopus farming within our state would be a step backward, undermining our long-standing commitment to preserving biodiversity and protecting animals from cruelty. In the face of mounting evidence — from animal welfare to public health and environmental risks — it is clear that octopus farming has no place in Oregon. By banning octopus farming now, we can safeguard our environment, protect public health, and reaffirm our values as a state committed to humane and sustainable practices.
Hira Jaleel is a visiting assistant professor at the Center for Animal Law Studies at Lewis & Clark Law School, and leads the Farmed Animal Protection Project. She teaches Aquatic Animal Law.
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