Bill · S. 1947· Senate(119-S-1947)
OCTOPUS Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 6/4/2025
- Last activity
- 6/4/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- Sponsored by
- Sheldon Whitehouse
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "OCTOPUS Act of 2025," aims to prohibit commercial octopus aquaculture operations within the United States, its exclusive economic zone, and its waters. It prevents the Secretary of Commerce from issuing permits for the farming of octopuses intended for human consumption or sale. Additionally, the legislation prohibits the importation and reexport of commercially aquacultured octopus. To enforce this, the bill establishes significant civil penalties for violators. Certain exceptions are provided for research, breeding, and public display by accredited institutions.
Yes· 3 of 4
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+5
The bill protects marine ecosystems by preventing large-scale commercial octopus aquaculture.
Does this give the federal government more power?+2
The bill expands federal regulatory authority over the aquaculture and importation of octopuses.
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+1
The bill requires more rigorous reporting of harvest methods for imported octopuses.
The opposite· 3 of 4
Would business owners be better off under this?-2
The bill imposes strict prohibitions and potential high civil penalties on aquaculture and import businesses.
Would farmers be better off under this?-2
Commercial aquaculture operators will be prohibited from conducting their business.
Does this make trade with other countries easier?-1
The bill restricts the import and reexport of certain octopus products, which could impact trade relations and volume.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Prevention of Commercial Octopus Farming: The bill prevents the Secretary of Commerce from authorizing commercial octopus aquaculture operations in the United States, the exclusive economic zone, or the waters of the United States (Section 3).
-
Restrictions on Importation: The bill prohibits the importation into the United States of any commercially aquacultured octopus, including living or dead specimens, parts, or derivatives (Section 4).
-
Prevention of Reexport: The act prevents the reexport of the prohibited commercially aquacultured octopus (Section 4).
-
Accountability through Reporting: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will ensure that trade programs require the reporting of harvest methods for octopus imports (Section 7).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Financial Penalties: Any person who violates the importation or reexport prohibitions may be subject to a civil penalty of up to $100,000 or the fair market value of the octopus, whichever is greater (Section 4).
-
Importation Requirements: Individuals importing octopus must certify on the date of importation that the octopus is not a commercially aquacultured octopus (Section 5).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections+5
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners-2Good For Farmers-2
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+2Improves Government Transparency+1
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves International Trade-1
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Consumer Protection+1Improves Economic Growth-1
- 7/8/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/4/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
Lisa MurkowskiRepublican · Alaska
Jeff MerkleyDemocrat · Oregon