Prohibits octopus farming

Showing the cosponsors who are on Agora, A to Z. The official record may list more.

• Democratic36
• Republican4

This bill has cosponsors from more than one party.

Shown in neutral colors by design; Agora is non-partisan.

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Monica Martinez says this is needed

The farming of octopus is a highly concerning practice quickly gaining global momentum. Numerous environmental organizations, scientists, and policymakers have expressed grave concern over the practice, as it poses severe animal welfare, environmental, public health, and economic risks. Currently there are no businesses engaged in octopus farming in New York and this bill, modeled after the ones passed in Washington and Califor- nia, aims to ban the practice to ensure no one can in the future. Octopus farming raises significant environmental concerns due to new effluents being produced and subsequently discharged into surrounding ecosystems. Octopus are carnivores and must consume three times their weight in other fish to survive; meaning they produce a lot of waste. Intensive farming of other carnivorous species has led to significant declines in related wild populations due to disease transmission, compe- tition, genetic pollution, and other ecological factors. There is profound concern octopus farms would cause similar impacts on already vulnerable and declining wild populations. Octopus are also notorious for escaping their enclosed containers. Octopus farm escapes pose a serious risk to local habitats and animal populations with a high poten- tial of transferring any on-farm diseases and antibiotics. Furthermore, octopus farms could have negative effects on the liveli- hoods of the surrounding communities. Industrial octopus farming oper- ations could threaten traditional scale artisanal fisheries, as well as the communities dependent on them by disrupting ecosystems and competing for resources. This legislation will protect New York's environment, coastal communities, animals, and public health. New York State must act to prohibit the factory farming of octopus.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.