North Carolina bill bans octopus aquaculture for human consumption and commercial sales

Original title: Marine Life Stewardship Act.

Last action · March 6, 2025: Ref to the Com on Agriculture and Environment, if favorable, Commerce and Economic Development, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House (House action)Sponsors: Pricey Harrison and 7 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Law

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What This Bill Would Do

North Carolina prohibits the farming, selling, possessing, and transporting of farmed octopus for human consumption, carrying civil penalties of up to $1,000 per day for violations starting when the act becomes law.

Why it matters

Commercial seafood producers and researchers face new restrictions and compliance requirements regarding the origin and cultivation methods of cephalopods.

Background

Aquaculture involves breeding, raising, and harvesting fish, shellfish, and aquatic plants in all types of water environments. context
Cephalopod farming has drawn increased public policy and ethical scrutiny as commercial cultivation methods are developed globally. context

Who It Would Affect

Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Aquaculture operators

Operators are prohibited from engaging in the farming of octopus species for human consumption within the State.

Directly affected

Seafood businesses

Businesses are barred from selling, possessing, or transporting any species of octopus that is the result of aquaculture.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this ban apply to wild-caught octopuses?

No, the definition of octopus expressly excludes wild-caught octopuses.

Are research facilities affected by the aquaculture ban?

No, octopuses propagated, cultivated, maintained, reared, or harvested only for research purposes unrelated to commercial production are exempt.

What is the penalty for violating the octopus aquaculture prohibition?

Violators are subject, upon order of a court, to a not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) per day.

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.

Procedural history

3 actions

Mar 6, 2025House
Ref to the Com on Agriculture and Environment, if favorable, Commerce and Economic Development, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House
Mar 6, 2025House
Passed 1st Reading
Mar 5, 2025HouseIntroduced
Filed

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

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