USA: California passes landmark bill to ban octopus farming and commercial sales

California passes landmark bill to ban octopus farming and commercial sales. Governer Gavin Newsom has signed the ground-breaking bill into law. California has made history by enacting a bill that bans octopus farming both on land and in water, and prohibits the sale of farmed octopus products within the state. This legislation, known as the California Oppose Cruelty to Octopuses (OCTO) Act and signed in on Sept. 27, is now the second law of its kind globally. The OCTO Act, co-authored by Assemblymembers Steve Bennett (D-38) and Laura Friedman (D-44), addresses critical ethical and environmental issues surrounding octopus farming. The bill, which received unanimous approval from the California Senate in August, represents a significant step forward in animal welfare and environmental protection. “The passing of the OCTO Act demonstrates California’s leadership in protecting wildlife. This is how law-making should be done: before investments of financial and human capital are made. ...