Porto, Portugal, July 18,, 2025 (Lusa) - The Portuguese Government will launch an inspection operation on August 3 focused on removing octopus fishing gear left in the sea during the closed season in the northern zone.
According to a statement released on Friday by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Sea, this action focuses on abandoned or unclaimed gear, as part of the obligations associated with the mandatory suspension of octopus fishing in the area between the northern border of the country and Figueira da Foz.
This closed season in the North runs from July 17–August 15, with a view to protecting and regenerating the biological cycle of the species, in order to ensure the renewal of marine resources, as defined in an order published in the official government gazette.
According to the ministry, the inspection also responds to proposals from the sector and, in order to be effective, “it is not enough to immobilise vessels, but it is also essential that fishing gear be removed from the sea”.
“Otherwise, passive fishing will continue, nullifying the effect of the ban and compromising the recovery of biomass and the sustainability of the species,” the ministry responsible for fisheries said in a statement.
Portugal is also committed to removing abandoned or unclaimed gear, mostly made of plastic, in compliance with the National Action Plan for Marine Litter for the period 2024–2028, under European directives for the protection of the sea.
As stipulated for the North, the executive indicated that it will issue specific guidelines for the Central and Algarve regions, whose closed seasons for octopus occur at different times, as already stipulated in previous legislation.
Octopus fishing has three closed seasons during the year, the first of which is in the north of the country, followed by another between Figueira da Foz and Sines (in the south western Alentejo region), which runs from August 16–September 14, and south of Sines, fishing for this species will be prohibited between September 15–October 14.
During these periods, it is prohibited to catch, keep on board or land common octopus (Octopus vulgaris) for sale, and any specimens caught must be returned immediately to the sea.
The Ministry of Agriculture and the Sea calls for the cooperation of all professionals in the sector, stressing that compliance with the measures is essential to ensure the future of octopus fishing and the preservation of marine resources.
JPYG/AYLS // AYLS
Lusa
