Gloomy Octopus
Octopus tetricus (Gloomy Octopus)
2023/24 Gloomy Octopus status
| Stock Status | Sustainable |
| Summary | Total reported catches of Gloomy Octopus remained low in 2023/24. The reproductive biology of this species suggests it may be at moderate risk of recruitment impairment in Tasmania. Gloomy Octopus catches appear to be driven by the distribution of effort in the Tasmanian Octopus Fishery, with higher catches coinciding with high effort in the eastern Bass Strait and around Flinders Island. Consequently, higher than usual total catches were recorded in 2023/24. |
| Stock | Tasmanian Gloomy Octopus |
| Indicator(s) | Catch; risk assessment of recruitment impairment. |
Background
Gloomy Octopus in Tasmania is a by-product species landed in small quantities by the Tasmanian Octopus Fishery in years when the fishery extends towards eastern Bass Strait. It is also apparently taken occasionally by the Southern Rock Lobster Fishery, although it is uncertain whether these species identification data are accurate, since records indicate landings of Gloomy Octopus well outside of its known range.
A pdf of the complete 2023-2024 Tasmanian Octopus Assessment is available here:
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Social and Economic Indicators