Cephalopods including octopuses, squid, and cuttlefish display sophisticated cognition that has led to their inclusion in welfare legislation in several countries.
Cephalopods represent a remarkable independent evolution of complex cognition, having evolved large brains and sophisticated behaviors through a completely different evolutionary lineage from vertebrates. Their inclusion in welfare legislation represents a significant conceptual advance, recognizing that the capacity for welfare-relevant experience is not limited to vertebrate animals. As research into cephalopod cognition expands, the welfare implications of research use, aquaculture, and wild-catch fisheries become increasingly important. Current welfare standards for cephalopods in research and food production are minimal.