Central coast of Catalonia octopus trap and pot fishery

Overview

	SPECIES Common octopus Octopus vulgaris
	FISHING GEAR Traps y pots

Fishery

This fishery uses two types of fishing gear: traps and pots. The octopus pot is a fishing gear specifically designed to catch this species as it takes advantage of octopus behavior of seeking out holes to shelter in, especially in muddy and sandy bottoms that usually offer fewer natural spaces for hiding.

The fishery operates along the central coast of Catalonia and it is managed locally through a comanagement plan, which features the participation of fishers, the regional administration, scientists and NGOs

Pre-assessment results

STRENGTHS	POINTS FOR IMPROVEMENT
Highly selective fishing gear with little impact on other species, habitats or the general ecosystem The co-management plan provides a clear framework, with well-defined roles and responsibilities, that is reviewed periodically	Lack of information about octopus stock abundance Harvest control rules have not been defined and there is not clear evidence on how the management system limits the catch Insufficient information about species used as bait

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> Read the pre-assessment report of this fishery