In a significant move toward marine conservation, the Congress is considering the OCTOPUS Act, a federal law that aims to ban commercial octopus farming in the United States.
In a significant move toward marine conservation, the Congress is considering the OCTOPUS Act, a federal law that aims to ban commercial octopus farming in the United States. The bill would also prohibit the importation of octopus products from farms abroad. The legislative effort was initiated as a growing global concern over the ethical and environmental implications of octopus farming has sparked debates among scientists, conservationists, and policymakers.
Jennifer Jacquet, a professor in the Department of Environmental Science and Policy at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science, co-authored a letter published in the August 15, 2024 issue of Science that explains why the OCTOPUS Act should be enacted into law, and is signed by one hundred concerned scholars signifying their support.
Octopuses, particularly Octopus vulgaris, the species that gained worldwide attention through the documentary My Octopus Teacher, are renowned for their intelligence and complex behavior. These marine invertebrates possess a large, distributed nervous system, can use tools, and can even walk on two arms. Octopuses are considered a keystone species in coastal and reef environments, helping to maintain a healthy balance of the ecosystem.
Read More: University of Miami Rosenstiel School
Photo Credit: Evan D'Alessandro, Ph.D.
