I recently had a life-changing encounter with a wild octopus at the Goat Island Marine Reserve. After I helped him catch a crab, he reached out from his cave, grabbed my hand, and held on. He wasn't being aggressive; he was curious. He was 'tasting' and 'feeling' who I was. In that moment, it was clear I wasn't just looking at a 'fish'—I was interacting with an intelligent, conscious individual.
Octopuses are some of the smartest animals on Earth. They can solve puzzles, use tools, and even recognize human faces. Despite this, they often have very few legal protections. In some places, they are even being farmed in crowded, cruel conditions.
We are calling on the government to: 
Legally recognise octopuses as sentient beings (animals that feel pain and emotions).

Ban octopus farming to prevent these solitary, intelligent animals from being kept in confinement.

Increase protections for their natural habitats, like our marine reserves, so future generations can have the same incredible encounters I did.
If an animal is smart enough to reach out and hold your hand, it’s smart enough to deserve our respect and protection. Please sign to give a voice to the most intelligent creatures in our oceans.