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It's Now Illegal to Farm Octopus in California — Here's Why
Food & Wine ^ | October 1, 2024 | Stacey Leasca

Posted on 10/11/2024 5:16:17 PM PDT by nickcarraway

'Octopuses are among the most intelligent, complex life on Earth. Farming them is not only inhumane but poses significant environmental risks.'

It's officially illegal to farm octopus in the state of California.

On Friday, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the bipartisan bill (which had zero opponents) that criminalizes the farming of octopuses for human consumption, based on the ideas that the aquatic animals are "highly intelligent," have "long-term memory," and have "have a well-developed nervous system."

And, as the Los Angeles Times importantly noted, the bill also bans business owners and operators from "knowingly participating" in the sale of an octopus that has specifically been raised to be eaten by humans.

"Octopuses are highly intelligent, curious, problem-solving animals. They are conscious, sentient beings that exhibit cognitive and behavioral complexity and are capable of experiencing pain, stress, and fear, as well as pleasure, equanimity, and social bonds," the bill's text reads in part. It adds, "Octopuses have a well-developed nervous system, large brains relative to their body size, and a high level of problem-solving ability. They are known for their ability to learn, use tools, and exhibit behaviors that suggest a level of consciousness. Octopuses also display flexibility in their responses to different situations, which is indicative of cognitive complexity."

California 'Skittles Ban' Advances to Governor's Desk, Here's What It Means for Consumers The bill also pointed to a 2021 study that showed that the animals also display aggression toward one another in confinement and the fact that the octopuses are carnivores, "requiring aquatic animal protein in their diets. Thus, farming them will further deplete fish stocks."

The new ban could also have a major ripple effect for the rest of the nation, as California has now become the second state to prohibit octopus farming, following Washington state's example. According to the Los Angeles Times, a similar law is working its way through the system now in Hawaii.

“Octopuses are among the most intelligent, complex life on Earth. Farming them is not only inhumane but poses significant environmental risks,” Assemblymember Laura Friedman, who sponsored the bill, shared after the bill's passing, according to NBC. “Rather than turning to unproven ‘farming’ methods to raise and slaughter octopuses, we should be protecting our marine ecosystem to better enable marine species to rebound.”

These 6 Food Dyes Could Soon Be Banned in California — Here’s What to Know There is one important caveat that NBC noted: Currently, there are no large-scale octopus farms in the state. However, this bill aims to be a proactive step in ensuring there will be none in the future.

“Bipartisan support to ban commercial octopus farming in California underlines the state’s unified opposition to allowing the exploitive practice of factory farming to expand to another population of vulnerable animals,” Jennifer Hauge, the senior legislative affairs manager of the Animal Legal Defense Fund, shared in a statement. “We are pleased to see the bill signed into law and will continue to advocate for similar statewide and federal legislation to protect these targeted animals.”

The bill does still leave room to fish octopus with a permit in state waters.


TOPICS: Agriculture; Business/Economy; Pets/Animals
KEYWORDS: aquaculture; governmenttenacles; oceans; octopus; seafood; tenaclesofgovernment
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To: nickcarraway
"Octopuses are highly intelligent, curious, problem-solving animals. They are conscious, sentient beings that exhibit cognitive and behavioral complexity and are capable of experiencing pain, stress, and fear, as well as pleasure, equanimity, and social bonds,"

IOWs they are everything that Gavin Newsom is not.

21 posted on 10/11/2024 7:15:28 PM PDT by TigersEye (Steve Bannon is a political prisoner. Free Steve Bannon!)
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To: nickcarraway

A law intended to appeal to the uninformed woke empath. No such farms exist nor is it possible to farm octopi without an outrageously expensive physical operation. The fact they are canabilistic is a major stumbling block in their husbandry.
On a side note it remains legal and appropriate to terminate parasitic embryos if they interfere in the whoremongering of their host.


22 posted on 10/11/2024 7:25:41 PM PDT by Lou Foxwell (The bleak winter of catastrophe is upon us.)
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To: nickcarraway

“. . . octopuses are carnivores, requiring aquatic animal protein in their diets. Thus, farming them will further deplete fish stocks.” Here’s a modest proposal: Feed the farmed octopi the aborted fetuses. They’ve been luxuriating in amniotic fluid, making them a sort of “aquatic protein.” Win-win!


23 posted on 10/11/2024 7:37:40 PM PDT by Blurb2350 (posted from my 1500-watt blow dryer)
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To: nickcarraway
On Friday, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the bipartisan bill (which had zero opponents) that criminalizes the farming of octopuses for human consumption, based on the ideas that the aquatic animals are "highly intelligent," have "long-term memory," and have "have a well-developed nervous system."

But babies don't??????

24 posted on 10/11/2024 8:15:40 PM PDT by metmom (He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus”)
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To: SFConservative
Yep, octopi are just the foot in the door leading to the banning of all forms of meat ...

Exactly!

25 posted on 10/11/2024 8:16:47 PM PDT by metmom (He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus”)
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To: nickcarraway

KAMALA WILL MOVE THEM TO THE TOP OF THE LIST FOR TRANS SURGERIES


26 posted on 10/11/2024 8:18:07 PM PDT by ridesthemiles (not giving up on TRUMP---EVER)
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To: nickcarraway

This is obviously a test case/feeler bill pushed to start laying the groundwork an eventual ban on fur bearing animal husbandry.


27 posted on 10/11/2024 8:40:29 PM PDT by Axenolith (I’ve saved $140,000 on batteries so far with my truck. It runs on LIQUID FUEL )
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To: nickcarraway; All

Oh, an aside, they ALL die after the act of reproduction.


28 posted on 10/11/2024 8:48:57 PM PDT by Axenolith (I’ve saved $140,000 on batteries so far with my truck. It runs on LIQUID FUEL )
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To: nickcarraway

But it’s OK to kill a baby as it’s being born in the People’s Republic of Californicated.


29 posted on 10/11/2024 9:12:16 PM PDT by july4thfreedomfoundation (I "earned" the same number of delegates during the primaries in 2020 and 2024 as Harris.)
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To: SFConservative

Or the eight feet in the door...


30 posted on 10/11/2024 11:33:22 PM PDT by 9YearLurker
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To: nickcarraway

Would that Democrats show the same level of concern for sentience viability, intelligence (growing) potential and the way they act when killed - for unborn babies.


31 posted on 10/12/2024 12:12:34 AM PDT by Gaffer
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To: nickcarraway

The pulpo is going to flood in from Mexico. They aren’t sending their best.


32 posted on 10/12/2024 5:55:11 AM PDT by Lisbon1940 (I don’t see why they would)
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To: nickcarraway

Octopussys?😁


33 posted on 10/13/2024 5:04:57 AM PDT by BiteYourSelf ( Earth first, we'll strip mine the other planets later.)
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