June 24, 2026 — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has finalized a regulatory change redefining “shellfish,” removing the long-standing requirement that species under the classification must have an external shell.
The rule, published June 23 in the Federal Register, updates language in the Code of Federal Regulations to align with modern science and industry practices, officials said.
This means that squid, cuttlefish, octopus, and other cephalopods will now be included within the regulatory definition of shellfish, The agency said the move would clear up any ambiguity about classification, which it added has led to inconsistent treatment of mollusks and related species at U.S. ports of entry.