Octopus — a potential marine resource from southwest coast of India

Octopus fishery has a long history in Japan and some European countries whereas in India exploitation has just been initiated and they are landed as bycatch in shrimp trawlers from southwest coast and east coast. The present study indicates that octopus landings are showing an increasing trend along the southwest coast of India. Octopus membaranaceous the dominant octopus species landed at Cochin Fisheries Harbour. Octopus lobensis the dominant octopus species landed at Neendakara harbour. Cistopus indicus and Octopus dollfusi, formed about 3% each of the total ocotopus landed at both the centres. Another Octopus sp. with extremely long fourth arm, about 85 to 87% of the toted length was observed in stray numbers in Cochin Fisheries Harbour landings. There is good demand for frozen octopus for export in recent years. As the demand is increasing, over exploitation due to increased fishing pressure in this area is possible which may ultimately lead to stock depletion. It is suggested that measures should be taken at this stage itself for rational exploitation of this resource. Detailed studies on the distribution, biology and population dynamics is essential to evolve effective fishery management measures for Judicious exploitation of this resource