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SACRAMENTO, September 28, 2024 — Today, AB 3162, the Oppose Cruelty to Octopuses (OCTO) Act, authored by Assemblymember Steve Bennett (D-Ventura) and coauthored by Assemblymembers Ash Kalra and Laura Friedman, and cosponsored by Social Compassion in Legislation and Animal Legal Defense Fund, was signed into law by Governor Newsom. The law makes California the first to ban the sale of farmed octopus, and the second state (Washington) to proactively ban octopus farming. This law positions the Golden State as a humane leader on this developing issue, preempting the controversial and cruel industry before it has an opportunity to develop.
Methods of slaughtering octopuses have historically been highly inhumane, including clubbing, slicing, asphyxiation, and chilling. These animals have significant cognitive abilities and can learn new skills, navigate complex mazes, are known escape artists, and even use tools. Intensively confining these highly intelligent, solitary animals in unnatural farming conditions is inhumane and almost certain to result in stress, aggressive activity, and high mortality.
“The passing of the OCTO Act demonstrates California’s leadership in protecting wildlife,” said Assemblymember Bennett. “This is how law-making should be done: before investments of financial and human capital are made. These intelligent creatures are not suited for concentrated ocean farming environments. I appreciate our sponsors and supporters for their advocacy.”
“We are so grateful to Governor Newsom for recognizing the need to prevent octopus farming in our great state," said Judie Mancuso, Founder and President of Social Compassion in Legislation. "By signing this bill, California is taking a stand that will not allow an immeasurable amount of suffering to these magnificent animals and the environmental damage that this industry would create. We hope the rest of the country and the world will follow suit."
"With the passage of AB 3162, California is the first state to ban the sale of farmed octopus - a signal to the world that this incredibly cruel industry should not exist," said Nickolaus Sackett, Director of Legislative Affairs for Social Compassion in Legislation. "We thank Assemblymember Bennett, and coauthors, Friedman and Kalra, for their leadership in driving this bill through the legislature with support from both sides of the aisle."
“Bipartisan support to ban commercial octopus farming in California underlines the state’s unified opposition to allowing the exploitive practice of factory farming to expand to another population of vulnerable animals,” says Animal Legal Defense Fund Senior Legislative Affairs Manager Jennifer Hauge. “We are pleased to see the bill signed into law and will continue to advocate for similar statewide and federal legislation to protect these targeted animals.”
In addition to animal welfare concerns, octopus farming could have problematic environmental consequences. Aquaculture facilities for octopuses have the potential to create an increased risk of nitrogen and phosphorus runoff, contributing to environmental pollution and potential algal blooms that would create low-oxygen dead zones devoid of life, disrupting local marine ecosystems. Antibiotics and pesticides may also be used to control the spread of disease and presence of parasites — as they already are with sea lice in salmon farms — and these can end up in the diets of wild fish, making them sick and disrupting food chains.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Governor Newsom for his continued leadership and compassion in championing animal protection by signing this critical legislation into law. His commitment to protecting animals sets a powerful example for humane governance.
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