Updated: November 2020

There is limited information on the population structure or stock status of common octopus in European waters. Abundance varies widely from year to year with no clear trends and is sensitive to environmental influences. There is concern over fishing pressure with reports of excessive effort, illegal fishing, exploitation of undersized octopus, and lack of effective surveillance and monitoring and control of the fishing activity in the region. Common octopus have high resilience to fishing pressure.

Small-scale fisheries land most octopuses, and the activity is mainly regulated at the regional level; the level of participation of the fishing industry in the management of their activity varies. No landings quotas are in place in the EU, or routine assessment of population to inform management decisions. A minimum landing weight is specified for common octopus in European waters. But this offers inadequate protection to the spawning stock and increases the probability of recruitment overfishing.

Towed fishing gear, particularly beam trawling, is associated with substantial damage to seabed flora and fauna, and with non-target bycatch and the discarding of juvenile fish. Octopus will generally survive trawling and may be returned to the sea alive, although bird predation on the surface may limit survival.

Updated: November 2020

There is limited information on the population structure or stock status of common octopus in European waters. Abundance varies widely from year to year with no clear trends and is sensitive to environmental influences. There is concern over fishing pressure with reports of excessive effort, illegal fishing, exploitation of undersized octopus, and lack of effective surveillance and monitoring and control of the fishing activity in the region. Common octopus have high resilience to fishing pressure.

Small-scale fisheries land most octopuses, and the activity is mainly regulated at the regional level; the level of participation of the fishing industry in the management of their activity varies. No landings quotas are in place in the EU, or routine assessment of population to inform management decisions. A minimum landing weight is specified for common octopus in European waters. But this offers inadequate protection to the spawning stock and increases the probability of recruitment overfishing.

Towed fishing gear, particularly beam trawling, is associated with substantial damage to seabed flora and fauna, and with non-target bycatch and the discarding of juvenile fish. Octopus will generally survive trawling and may be returned to the sea alive, although bird predation on the surface may limit survival.

Updated: December 2020

There is limited information on the population structure or stock status of common octopus in European waters. Abundance varies widely from year to year with no clear trends and is sensitive to environmental influences. There is concern over fishing pressure with reports of excessive effort, illegal fishing, exploitation of undersized octopus, and lack of effective surveillance and monitoring and control of the fishing activity in the region. Common octopus have high resilience to fishing pressure.

Small-scale fisheries land most octopuses, and the activity is mainly regulated at the regional level; the level of participation of the fishing industry in the management of their activity varies. No landings quotas are in place in the EU, or routine assessment of population to inform management decisions. A minimum landing weight is specified for common octopus in European waters. But this offers inadequate protection to the spawning stock and increases the probability of recruitment overfishing.

Generally, pot and traps have little impact on the environment. Nonetheless, there is high loss and damage of clay pots used for targeted octopus fishing, and potential for potting to disrupt sensitive habitats. Bycatch is negligible.

The Western Asturias Octopus Traps Fishery of Artisanal Cofradias is certified by the Marine Stewardship council.

There is concern for the biomass of common octopus in the UK due to the absence of stock assessments and further biomass information, however there is no concern for fishing pressure. There are no appropriate effective management measures in place for horned octopus in UK or European waters. A Channel demersal non-quota FMP was published that incorporates both horned and common octopus. However, at the time of writing, it is too soon to know whether proposed management measures will be effective in managing the stock. Most common octopus are caught by beam trawls have significant impacts on the seabed, including damage to benthic communities and vulnerable marine habitats. They can also have high bycatch, potentially of vulnerable species.Rating last updated October 2024.

There is concern for the biomass of common octopus in the UK due to the absence of stock assessments and further biomass information, however there is no concern for fishing pressure. There are no appropriate effective management measures in place for horned octopus in UK or European waters. A Channel demersal non-quota FMP was published that incorporates both horned and common octopus. However, at the time of writing, it is too soon to know whether proposed management measures will be effective in managing the stock. Some common octopus are caught by otter trawling is likely to cause some damage to the seabed. Bycatch is moderate and may include vulnerable species.Rating last updated October 2024.

For more information about this rating please visit: http://www.cornwallgoodseafoodguide.org.uk/fish-guide/octopus.php