Information briefs and risk analyses for species under consideration ...

Generic objective 2: Risk to avoiding, remedying or mitigating any adverse effects of
fishing on the aquatic environment.
Analysis: The risk of adverse effects on the aquatic environment from catch of octopus under an open access
regime is low due to the fact that there is almost no target fishery for the species. Some catches of octopus are
taken by bottom trawl but only as a consequence of a target fishery for QMS species.
Very little is known of the general habitat interactions or the marine ecosystem role of octopus.
Severity of impact (low, medium or high) : 1
Likelihood of impact (low, medium or high): 1
Risk score (1-9) : 1
Generic objective 3: Risk to providing for utilisation of the stock or species that
enables social, cultural and economic well-being.
Analysis: Octopus is generally not targeted by commercial fishers but has some commercial value. The present
port price of $1.53 may indicate there is a market for octopus, and this may be increasing as New Zealand’s
population becomes more multicultural. Analysis of export data over recent years also indicates a rise in the
export value of octopus.
There is thought to be only a very small take of octopus by the customary and recreational sectors.
Octopuses do have intrinsic value and contribute to biodiversity and sustainability of marine ecosystems.
Severity of impact (low, medium or high) : Low
Likelihood of impact (low, medium or high): Low
Risk score (1-9) : 2
Objective(s) returning highest score: 1
Risk based on severity/likelihood (low, medium, high): Low
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