Bill > HB365

This bill prohibits octopus aquaculture in Hawaii, addressing both environmental and ethical concerns. The legislation specifically bars any person from engaging in aquaculture activities involving octopus propagation, cultivation, maintenance, and harvesting for human consumption, with exceptions for wild-caught octopuses and those used for research purposes. The bill's rationale stems from two primary concerns: first, the significant risks of disease transmission from farmed octopuses to marine ecosystems, including the potential spread of parasites and pathogens that could destabilize marine food webs and impact commercial fishing; and second, ethical considerations regarding the advanced cognitive abilities of octopuses and the potential for stress and harm in farming conditions. The bill defines aquaculture activities to include land-based recirculating aquaculture systems and clarifies that the prohibition does not apply to wild-caught octopuses or those used exclusively for research purposes. The legislation is set to take effect on July 1, 3000, and does not retroactively affect any existing rights, penalties, or ongoing proceedings.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Justice

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=365&year=2025