Chile has become the first country in Latin America to introduce legislation to ban octopus farming nationwide. Bill 17913-12 was introduced by Representative Marisela Santibáñez with support from 7 additional congress representatives and now moves to the commission of environment and natural resources to be discussed. This bill would prohibit the intensive farming of octopuses, focusing on the potentially harmful impacts that this industry could pose for the environment.
The bill details why a ban on octopus farming is a matter of urgency in Chile, as it would help protect marine ecosystems, mitigate public health risks, and ensure food security for coastal communities. The urgency comes from the desire to pre-emptively ban this practice, as octopus farming ventures are being explored in Mexico and Spain, and the evidence so far suggests potential violations of animal welfare principles, sustainable development goals, and species conservation standards, as well as the concern that their expansion could lead to irreversible negative impacts on the environment and public health.
The bill cites similar legislation in the United States, including formal laws in California and Washington, as well as bills underway in New Jersey, Oregon, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, and at the federal level with the OCTOPUS Act (S.4810). Aquatic Life Institute, which played a central role in supporting each of these legislations, believes that the introduction of this bill in Chile signifies that the global momentum to ban the practice of octopus farming is rapidly increasing, as the detrimental effects it would have on the environment, public health, local communities, and animal welfare are becoming more widely known.
If enacted, Bill 17913-12 would safeguard octopuses from inhumane farming practices and position Chile as a global frontrunner in animal welfare and environmental protection.
