In a pivotal moment for animal welfare and environmental stewardship, over 100 scientists and other experts recently published a letter to support the “Opposing the Cultivation and Trade of Octopus Produced through Unethical Strategies” Act, or OCTOPUS Act.
This proposed federal legislation would ban commercial aquaculture operations in the United States and prohibit the import of farmed octopus products into the country. As Congress considers the OCTOPUS Act, the state of Oregon finds itself at a crossroads — should we allow octopus farming within our borders or follow in the footsteps of states like Washington and California in taking a stand against this inhumane practice?
The documentary, “My Octopus Teacher,” brought the intelligence and emotional depth of octopuses into the spotlight, showcasing their ability to solve puzzles, demonstrate memory and even form relationships with humans. These cognitive traits are not just signs of sentience but also intelligence, suggesting that farming these animals would mean confining cognitively complex beings in cruel and unnatural conditions…