Octopus Conservation: A Global Review of Methods to Ameliorate Fishing Mortality
ABSTRACT Octopuses are a vital global fisheries resource for both food and economic security, and rising demand is putting increasing pressure on their populations in many regions, making conservation measures essential. Four overarching conservation methods were identified: area closures, gear regulations, effort regulations and landing regulations, with evidence reviewed from Europe, Africa, Latin America, Asia and Australia. The feasibility and ethics of octopus aquaculture are also discussed. Regional adaptations are necessary, as no universal strategy fits all octopus species in all areas, and promoting citizen science and using fisher knowledge can help fill knowledge gaps. Co‐management strategies show promise in addressing small‐scale fisheries management challenges. Insights gathered in this review will assist managers and stakeholders in establishing regulations and conservation initiatives aimed at enhancing the productivity and sustainability of fisheries that interact with octopuses. Additionally, it identifies knowledge gaps that require further attention.
Authors
- Jeffrey C. Mangel (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9371-8606)
- David Piló (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1810-7135)
- Aaron Brazier (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0248-7372)
- Kurichithara Kunjumony Sajikumar (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1106-3800)
- Daniel Oesterwind (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1093-4283)
- Hassan Moustahfid (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0795-8062)
- Rui Rosa (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2801-5178)
- Luís Bentes (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6884-2886)
- Jesús C. Compaire (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5773-4449)
- Silvina Van der Molen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0858-842X)
- Miguel Cabanellas‐Reboredo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0906-1243)
- Joanna Alfaro‐Shigueto (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5148-7686)
- Mafalda O. Rangel (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5903-5687)
- Jorge Hernández‐Urcera (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1032-2786)
- Álvaro Roura (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3532-6759)
- Christopher John Barrett (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3157-4595)
- Unai Markaida (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6655-4979)
- Qiaz Q. H. Hua (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3128-7273)
- Gavan M. Cooke (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7997-0998)
- Ramiro Braga (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-5793-4501)
- Nicolás Ortíz (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0872-1788)
- Eduardo Almansa (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1015-1334)
- Eliana Alfaro‐Córdova (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2342-7846)
- Christian Drerup (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6912-6379)
- Graham John Pierce (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4744-4501)
- A. Louise Allcock (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4806-0040)
- C. Perales-Raya (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7782-2561)
- Geetha Sasikumar (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5312-1290)
- N. T. Roldán‐Wong
- K. Vossen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7204-3638)
- Z. Doubleday
- A. Holdgate (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-2509-894X)
- A. Allen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-2992-9300)
Institutions
- National Technological University (AR)
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (GB)
- University of Lisbon (PT)
- University of Ottawa (CA)
- Marine Stewardship Council (GB)
- National University of Singapore (SG)
- Ollscoil na Gaillimhe – University of Galway (IE)
- Durham University (GB)
- University of Exeter (GB)
- Universidad Científica del Sur (PE)
- Northeast Catholic College (US)
- NOAA Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (US)
- National University of Patagonia San Juan Bosco (AR)
- National University of Tierra del Fuego (AR)
- Instituto Español de Oceanografía (ES)
- Johann Heinrich von Thünen-Institut (DE)
- Portuguese Sea and Atmosphere Institute (PT)
- Instituto de Investigacións Mariñas (ES)
- Centro Científico Tecnológico Patagónico (AR)
- Instituto Volcanológico de Canarias (ES)
- El Colegio de la Frontera Sur (MX)
- Adelaide University (AU)
- Tropical Marine Science Institute (SG)
- Universitat de les Illes Balears (ES)
- The University of Adelaide (AU)
- University of Algarve (PT)
- Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (IN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Aquatic Conservation Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems
- Published
- 2026-09-29
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1002/aqc.70449
- Primary Topic
- Cephalopods and Marine Biology
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00