Bill > H293

This bill proposes to prohibit aquaculture (the controlled farming) of octopuses in North Carolina for human consumption. Specifically, the bill defines octopuses as cephalopod mollusks with soft bodies and eight limbs, while explicitly excluding wild-caught octopuses and those raised solely for research purposes. The legislation would make it illegal for any person to engage in octopus aquaculture intended for human consumption, and it would prohibit businesses from selling, possessing, or transporting octopuses produced through aquaculture. Violations of these provisions would result in civil penalties of up to $1,000 per day, with each day of continued violation considered a separate offense. The Department of Environmental Quality (or a similar state department) would be authorized to create rules and regulations to implement and enforce this prohibition. The bill would take effect immediately upon becoming law, representing a proactive stance against commercial octopus farming in the state.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/H293