Press Release: Commission takes action to safeguard octopus stocks

The European Commission on 12 October 2005 proposed to increase the minimum weight of gutted octopus landed from the eastern central Atlantic (CECAF) area to 500 grammes. This move was to prevent the marketing of young (undersized) octopus caught in EU waters and to enhance their protection in eastern central Atlantic waters. It came in response to scientific advice from the Fishery Committee for the eastern central Atlantic (CECAF) indicating that octopus were overfished throughout the area under its responsibility and recommending that measures be put in place to ensure sustainable fishing of this species.

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