Fish and Wildlife Service clarifies that cephalopods count as shellfish under federal regulations

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has updated the definition of “shellfish” in its regulations to explicitly include cephalopods like squid, octopus, cuttlefish, and nautilus. The agency determined that the current rule, which defined shellfish as mollusks with a shell, created confusion because many cephalopods lack an external shell or have only internal structures.

Why it matters: This rule does not create new restrictions or bans on trading squid, octopus, or related species. Instead, it removes a layer of confusion by clarifying that these animals fall under the existing shellfish category for import and export purposes. The agency noted that other federal and state agencies already oversee harvest and safety standards, so this change primarily streamlines paperwork and reduces delays for businesses moving these products across borders.

Who it affects

• Importers and exporters of cephalopods (squid, octopus, cuttlefish, nautilus) who deal with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service declarations

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This final rule was issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior; readers should check the full Federal Register document for specific regulatory text and effective dates before relying on this summary.

Agency: Interior Department, Fish and Wildlife Service
Source: Federal Register — read the official document