Artisanal octopus catches in Balearic Sea triple the size of trawled specimens

A study by the Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO-CSIC) has revealed significant size differences between octopus populations caught via different fishing methods in the Balearic Islands. Research published in the journal Fishes indicates that octopus caught through artisanal fishing using pots (nasas) in coastal waters less than 50 meters deep average 1.47 kilograms.

In contrast, specimens captured by trawling fleets in deeper waters are significantly smaller, averaging approximately 500 grams. Researchers Nuria Zaragoza and Maria Valls from the Balearic Oceanographic Centre noted that artisanal catches have a mean mantle length of 14.3 centimeters, while trawled catches average 9.5 centimeters.

The study, which analyzed 1,571 specimens, suggests these disparities may be linked to environmental factors, particularly water temperature. Additionally, the peak reproductive period for the common octopus (Octopus vulgaris) in the region remains concentrated between May and August, a pattern consistent with observations from 30 years ago.