Rock star fishery booming in Western Australia, as octopus catch quadruples 🐙 | ABC Australia

Summary

The video showcases the booming western rock octopus industry in Western Australia, which has grown by 400% in the last decade. The Fremantle Octopus Company leads the charge, harvesting premium octopus using sustainable and innovative methods like LED core ropes and trigger traps. With octopus being a healthy, eco-friendly protein alternative, demand is surging worldwide. The industry’s expansion, alongside conservation efforts and independent sustainability certifications, highlights its potential to rival the Western rock lobster industry in the future, with a focus on maintaining a balanced and ethical approach to fishing.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Western rock octopus (djinda) is a rapidly growing commercial fishery in Australia, expanding by 400% in the past decade.
• 😀 The Fremantle Octopus Company is a major player in the industry, owning nearly half of the trap-based licenses and harvesting 50-60 tonnes of octopus annually.
• 😀 Octopi grow quickly, reaching premium sizes (1-1.2 kg) in about 9 months to a year, making them an attractive option for restaurants and chefs.
• 😀 Trapping octopi is challenging due to their ability to change color and shape. The patented open-ended trigger pot method, developed by Craig Camilleri, remains the most ethical and sustainable fishing technique.
• 😀 The octopus fishery uses environmentally sensitive methods, including LED lures and plastic bait-filled crabs to attract octopi without using traditional bait, thus reducing bycatch.
• 😀 The company has innovated with bait pellets made from tuna offal, increasing productivity by 40% and contributing to the sustainability of the fishery.
• 😀 The company markets octopus as a premium product, with raw octopus graded by size for consistency and quality, making it easier for chefs to create uniform dishes.
• 😀 Octopus is marketed globally as a healthy, sustainable alternative protein, offering more iron and protein than red meat and no negative environmental impact.
• 😀 The Western rock octopus fishery has received independent sustainability certification from the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), which ensures eco-friendly practices.
• 😀 The fishery has a strong management strategy to prevent overfishing, and it is expanding, with future growth plans to rival the size of Australia's Western rock lobster industry.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the Western Rock Octopus fishery in Western Australia?

The Western Rock Octopus fishery focuses on harvesting octopus using environmentally sensitive and sustainable methods, primarily to meet the growing demand from international restaurants.

How much has the Western Rock Octopus fishery expanded in the last decade?

The fishery has expanded by 400% over the last decade, making it Australia's fastest-growing commercial fishery.

What innovative trap design is used in the Western Rock Octopus fishery?

The fishery uses a patented open-ended trigger pot designed by Craig Camilleri, which is considered the most ethical and sustainable method for catching octopus. It uses a lure instead of bait, fulfilling the fishery's obligations to avoid catching non-target species.

How does the bait used in the traps contribute to the fishery's productivity?

The introduction of bait pellets made from tuna offal from South Australia has increased the fishery's productivity by nearly 40%. This bait is used in plastic-filled crabs to lure octopus into the traps.

What makes the octopus caught by the Fremantle Octopus Company unique in the marketplace?

The octopus caught by the Fremantle Octopus Company is premium grade, with consistent size and intact tentacles. This consistency makes it highly desirable for chefs and restaurants, ensuring better yields and cost control.

How does the grading system for octopus work in the Fremantle Octopus Company?

The octopus is graded by size, with categories such as medium, large, and extra-large. This grading ensures that chefs receive consistent product, which is critical for creating dishes with uniform texture and yield.

What is the lifespan of a Western Rock Octopus, and how quickly do they grow?

The lifespan of a Western Rock Octopus is about 1 to 1.5 years, and they grow relatively quickly. The octopuses harvested by the fishery are typically around 9 months to 1 year old.

What challenges did the Western Rock Octopus fishery face when it was first developed?

One of the biggest challenges was trapping the octopus, as they are known for their escape abilities. The fishery overcame this by developing the innovative trap with a trigger mechanism and lure, which was first tested in 2006.

How does octopus compare to other protein sources in terms of nutrition?

Octopus is a highly nutritious protein source, offering more iron and protein than red meat. It is considered a healthy, sustainable alternative to land-based proteins.

What is the future potential of the Western Rock Octopus fishery in comparison to the Western Rock Lobster industry?

The Western Rock Octopus fishery has the potential to grow significantly, with the possibility of becoming larger than the Western Rock Lobster industry. Currently, there are 23 vessels fishing in the octopus industry, while the lobster industry has around 230 vessels.