by Ben Williamson

Last week, I had the distinct pleasure of meeting a remarkable young advocate, 10-year-old Lily Niederhofer. We joined forces in Portland, Oregon, to lobby legislators for a ban on octopus farming. Lily, traveling down the US West Coast with her family, has been presenting to decision-makers about her inspiring 2 km ocean swim, which raised over $12,000 for Compassion in World Farming’s campaign to prevent octopus farming worldwide.

Lily's Trip to the States

Meeting Lily filled me with hope for a future free from the intensive farming of yet another sentient species.
Starting her journey in Washington state, Lily met with Rep. Strom Peterson (WA District 21) and members of the volunteer-run group Animal Rights Initiative, who earlier this year helped pass the world’s first ban on octopus farming.

The following day, I joined the family at the Portland World Trade Center, where Rep. Courtney Neron (OR House District 26) had organized a discussion with fellow legislators, donors, community organizers, and interested members of the public.

Lily, unphased by public speaking, enthusiastically and articulately shared her love for octopuses and explained how she was motivated to swim after learning about plans to develop the world’s first commercial octopus farm in Gran Canaria, Spain.

She described how octopuses are solitary, intelligent, and fragile animals, wholly unsuitable for confined feeding operations. When she found out about Nueva Pescanova’s plans to intensively farm one million octopuses per year, she felt compelled to act. Lily’s passion for this cause has also inspired her parents, who are now staunch advocates against octopus farming.

Oregon's Next Steps for Octopus

Following Lily’s presentation, attendees debated the devastating environmental impacts octopus farms could have, including high concentrations of waste, algaecides, herbicides, and excessive use of antibiotics. We discussed the inefficiency of feeding three pounds of human-edible fishmeal to produce one pound of farmed octopus and the consequent impact on subsistence fishermen, who must compete with industrial fishmeal producers for their own livelihoods. The Oregonians considered how their state might play a significant role in preventing octopus farming both nationally and globally.

The discussion concluded with a consensus for not only a production ban but also a sales and import ban on farmed octopus products. Attendees recognized that a production ban without a sales ban would merely shift the problem elsewhere. The Supreme Court’s decision to uphold California’s Prop 12 now makes sales and import bans constitutional. Such a comprehensive ban is currently under consideration in the US Congress (S.4810) and the state of California (AB 3162), where Lily and her family are headed next for a day of lobbying with our colleagues at the Animal Legal Defense Fund and Social Compassion in Legislation.

As we wrapped up in Oregon, I told the family how inspired I am by Lily’s advocacy. Campaigning for the protection of farmed animals is both an honor and a privilege, but it is also fraught with daily adversity and setbacks. Meeting young changemakers like Lily Niederhofer, Greta Thunberg, and Genesis Butler gives me hope for the future and the energy to continue fighting for a better future for farmed animals and the next generation.

Take Action

Sign our End.It petition to support a ban on octopus farming worldwide.

Ben Williamson leads Compassion in World Farming's US office, overseeing the running of its campaigns, food business, and operations. Originally from London, England, Ben has over a decade of experience working for leading animal protection organizations in both the United States and United Kingdom. As a lead spokesperson, Ben has made numerous television appearances including NBC, CNN, Fox News, CBS, and Good Morning America and authored numerous op-ed pieces in USA Today, Newsweek, New York Daily News, Independent and more. Ben holds a Master’s degree in Political Science and Political Economy from London School of Economics and Political Science and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from University College London.