# 2026-12578: Government Officially Declares Squid Are Now Shellfish

2026-12578, Definition of Shellfish; Inclusion of Cephalopods, is a Federal Register rule from Interior Department, Fish and Wildlife Service published 2026-06-23, effective 2026-07-23; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-06-30).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-12578
- As of: 2026-06-30
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-12578
- Title: Definition of Shellfish; Inclusion of Cephalopods
- Type: Rule
- Agencies: Interior Department; Fish and Wildlife Service
- Citation: 91 FR 37332
- Published: 2026-06-23
- Effective: 2026-07-23
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: yes
- Regulation identifier numbers: 1018-BJ16
- Last updated: 2026-06-30

## In one line

Government Officially Declares Squid Are Now Shellfish

## Summary

Starting July 23, 2026, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is updating the definition of shellfish to officially include squid, octopus, cuttlefish, and other cephalopods—even though they don’t have traditional shells. This change clears up confusion, matches modern science and business, and makes regulations simpler for fishermen and seafood sellers. No extra costs, just a smarter way to protect and manage these sea creatures!

## Abstract

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are amending the definition of "shellfish" in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) by removing the phrase "having a shell" and adding specific taxa. This amendment will clarify that squid, cuttlefish, octopus, and other cephalopods are included within the regulatory definition of shellfish. This action is deregulatory in nature, as it reduces regulatory ambiguity, aligns the Service's regulations with current biological understanding and commercial practice, reduces regulatory burden and is within the Service's purview to amend definitions as needed.

## Effects PRIA read

- Squid, Octopus, Cuttlefish Now 'Shellfish': benefit, low. Starting July 23, 2026, the Fish and Wildlife Service amends 50 CFR 10.12 so that shellfish explicitly includes cephalopods such as squid, octopus, and cuttlefish. This clarifies how these species are treated for importation, exportation, declaration, inspection, and enforcement under the Service's…
- Change Applies Only to Future Shipments: benefit, low. The revised definition and its effects apply only to shipments imported into or exported out of the United States on or after July 23, 2026. The Service will not reevaluate or retroactively change actions taken on shipments that entered or left the United States before that date.
- Regulatory Ambiguity Reduced; Cost Savings: benefit, low. The Service says this change is deregulatory: it removes the phrase 'having a shell,' aligns the rule with modern science and commercial practice, and reduces regulatory ambiguity. The agency states this should reduce compliance obligations and result in cost savings for small businesses.
- Inspections and Enforcement Remain Possible: mixed, low. Although cephalopods are added to the shellfish definition, the Service retains authority to inspect any shipments imported into or exported from the United States and to ensure legality of wildlife trade. The change does not remove the Service's inspection authority.
- Sea Urchins and Sea Cucumbers Still Excluded: cost, low. The Service declined requests to add red and purple sea urchins and sea cucumbers to the shellfish definition, noting they are echinoderms (not mollusks). Those species are not covered by this definition change and remain treated separately for import/export purposes.

## Related documents

- [2026-14629](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-14629): Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Regulations for Designating Critical Habitat, 2026-07-21
- [2026-14633](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-14633): Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Regulations Pertaining to Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants, 2026-07-21
- [2026-14299](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-14299): Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Revised Designation of Critical Habitat for the Contiguous U.S. Distinct Population Segment…, 2026-07-16
- [2026-14195](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-14195): Rescinding the Definition of “Harm” Under the Endangered Species Act, 2026-07-14
- [2026-12955](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-12955): Process for Authorizing Seasonal Migratory Game Bird Hunting, 2026-06-26
- [2026-12951](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-12951): Process for Authorizing Seasonal Migratory Game Bird Hunting, 2026-06-26

## Sources
- [2026-12578 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/06/23/2026-12578/definition-of-shellfish-inclusion-of-cephalopods)
- [2026-12578 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-06-23/pdf/2026-12578.pdf)

## Related
- [Previous: 2026-12576, Migratory Bird Subsistence Harvest in Alaska](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-12576)
- [Next: 2026-12581, Federal Employees' Retirement System; Present Value Conversion Factors for Spou…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-12581)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-12578 (as of 2026-06-30).