In order to prevent the marketing of young (undersized) octopus caught in eastern central Atlantic waters, particularly in West Africa, the European Commission put forward a proposal on October 12th 2005 to increase the minimum weight of gutted octopus caught in this area to 500 grams. This is in response to scientific advice from the Fishery Committee for the eastern central Atlantic (CECAF) indicating that octopus are being over-fished throughout the area.
The proposed regulation1 stipulates that it will be forbidden “for octopus under the minimum size of 500g (gutted) to be retained on board or be transhipped, landed, transported, stored, sold, displayed or offered for sale, but shall be returned immediately to the sea”. This measure will apply to both EU and non-EU vessels and includes the marketing, including imports, of octopus from this area.
CAPE believes that adopting this measure is a positive step forward for the regeneration of octopus stocks in West African waters. In terms of marketing, it will serve to support the region’s artisanal octopus fishing sector that through selective fishing methods (e.g. pot fishing) and in compliance with the new measure, is able to select larger sized individuals while at the same time releasing live undersized octopus back into the sea.