Tasmanian Octopus Fishery Assessment 2016/2017

The Tasmanian Octopus Fishery is a multi-species fishery in the Bass Strait primarily targeting Octopus pallidus, with Macroctopus maorum and Octopus tetricus landed as byproduct (Table 1). The Scalefish Fishery Management Plan (revised in 2015) provides the management framework for the fishery. The (commercial) fishery remains a sole operator fishery with the same operator since commencement in 1980.

In this assessment, the octopus fishery is described state-wide in terms of catch (as a proxy for fishing mortality), effort and catch rates (as a proxy for biomass). A more detailed analysis of catch, effort and catch rates at the fishing block level is also presented. The commercial catch history for the period 2000/01 to 2016/17 is assessed.