Definition of Shellfish; Inclusion of Cephalopods

Document 2026-12578 is a Final Rule published by the Department of Interior in the Federal Register on June 23, 2026, with an effective date of July 23, 2026. We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are amending the definition of "shellfish" in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) by removing the phrase "having a shell" and adding specific taxa. This amendment will clarify that squid, cuttlefish, octopus, and other cephalopods are included within the regulatory definition of shellfish. This action is deregulatory in nature, as it reduces regulatory ambiguity, aligns the Service's regulations with current biological understanding and commercial practice, reduces regulatory burden and is within the Service's purview to amend definitions as needed. View the original at https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/06/23/2026-12578/definition-of-shellfish-inclusion-of-cephalopods.

No. Document 2026-12578 is not classified as economically significant under Executive Order 12866. Economically significant rules require OIRA review and are estimated to have impacts of $100 million or more per year.