Feds Declare Octopuses Official Shellfish—Mind Blown!
Published Date: 3/6/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service wants to update the definition of shellfish to officially include squid, octopus, cuttlefish, and other cephalopods. This change clears up confusion, matches science and business practices, and makes rules easier to follow. Anyone involved in fishing, selling, or regulating shellfish should know comments are open until April 6, 2026, with no extra costs expected.
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Cephalopods Officially Declared Shellfish
The Fish and Wildlife Service proposes to change the regulatory definition of “shellfish” to explicitly include cephalopods such as squid, octopus, and cuttlefish, and to list Mollusca and Decapoda taxa. The Agency says this will reduce confusion at ports, avoid misclassification that can trigger extra permitting or documentation, and reduce compliance costs for importers, exporters, fishermen, sellers, and enforcement personnel. Comments are being accepted through April 6, 2026, and the Service states the rule would not impose new compliance obligations or reporting requirements.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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