Octopus Fishery

The octopus fishery targets the gloomy octopus (Octopus tetricus). Commercial octopus catch is harvested from three different fisheries with the majority of commercial catch coming from the Octopus Interim Managed Fishery (OIMF). The primary harvest method in the OIMF is a ‘trigger trap’. Unbaited or passive (shelter) pots are also used and octopus are also caught as bycatch by rock lobster pots. Management is achieved by regulating the number of pots/traps permitted in each fishing zone.