Overview
- Gardacostas de Galicia reported on Sunday that, since the octopus closed season began on May 1, inspectors have seized roughly 666–670 kilograms of octopus and removed 783 illegal fishing devices.
- The largest single haul came on May 6 in O Berbés, Ría de Vigo, where officers recovered about 472 kilograms of illegally caught octopus.
- Most of the removed gear were plastic cacharros or alcatruces (645 units) plus 138 nasas made of wood, iron or metal, many found unmarked or set during the prohibited period.
- Inspectors found a high rate of undersized octopus—reported at 70–80% of detections in parts of the Ría de Muros-Noia—and recovered some berried (egg-bearing) specimens that were returned to the sea.
- The Xunta says reinforced controls will continue at sea and at landing and sale points over the coming weeks to protect reproduction, preserve stocks and support the economic viability of Galicia’s artisanal fleet.