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119-s-1947119th CongressWALLET

OCTOPUS Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Senator Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]

Introduced

Summary

Ban on commercial octopus aquaculture and farmed octopus imports. This bill would stop authorization of commercial octopus farming in U.S. waters and the exclusive economic zone and would prohibit importing or reexporting commercially aquacultured octopus.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.

Ban on commercial octopus farming

If enacted, the bill would stop the Commerce Secretary from permitting commercial octopus farms in U.S. waters and the EEZ. The Secretary must work with the Interior Secretary and issue a final rule within one year. The bill defines key terms like "commercial octopus aquaculture" and the covered waters to set the ban's scope. Accredited aquariums, zoos, universities, museums, and permitted researchers could still keep octopus for display, breeding, or noncommercial research.

Ban on imported farmed octopus

If enacted, the bill would ban importing or reexporting commercially aquacultured octopus, including whole animals, parts, and products. Importers would have to certify at import that the octopus are not commercially aquacultured. The ban would apply to articles entered or withdrawn for consumption one year after enactment. Each violation could bring a civil penalty of up to $100,000 or the octopus' fair market value, whichever is greater.

New reporting for octopus imports

If enacted, NOAA would require one or more NMFS trade programs to record and report how imported octopus were harvested. Reporting would cover whole octopus and value-added products that include octopus. This would improve traceability for regulators and buyers but add reporting steps for importers.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]

RI • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]

    AK • R

    Sponsored 6/4/2025

  • Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 7/8/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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