Open for CommentFWS· Fish and Wildlife ServiceProposed Rule

Definition of Shellfish: Inclusion of Cephalopods

Introduced March 6, 2026Comment period ends April 7, 2026View on regulations.gov ↗
💬 Closes in 19 daysDeadline: Apr 7, 2026

What This Means

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to change the official definition of shellfish to include cephalopods, which are sea animals like octopuses, squid, and cuttlefish. This change would affect fishing regulations, food safety rules, and trade laws that currently treat cephalopods differently from other shellfish like clams and oysters. The change matters because it could alter how these animals are caught, sold, and regulated, potentially affecting commercial fisheries, consumers who eat these products, and how the government manages ocean resources.

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Details

TypeFederal Regulation
AgencyFWS · Fish and Wildlife Service
Regulations.gov IDFWS-HQ-LE-2026-0628-0001
IntroducedMarch 6, 2026
Comment DeadlineApril 7, 2026

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