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New Presidential Decree protects the juvenile octopi of the species Octopus vulgaris
Fortunately, changes are made in the Greek legislation towards better protection of marine life.
According to the Presidential Decree 62/2024, now “nationwide the fishing, unloading and marketing of octopus of the species Octopus vulgaris with weight smaller than 750 gr is forbidden” while in the past the limit was 500g.
The Common Octopus Octopus vulgaris used to be a common marine animal of the seas. But when, according to the official data, more than 1600 tonnes of octopi are unloaded yearly in Greece and it is common to see spearfishers, or even simple swimmers, exit the sea with tiny octopi full of pride of their “success”, the Common Octopus is not common anymore…
Octopi are the smartest invertebrae having the biggest ratio of body to brain mass. They possess a complex nervous system with 2/3 of the neurons found in their tentacles. They can taste the environment with their suckers and can breathe with their skin too. They have extraordinary flexibility, as well as defensive systems such as changing the colour and texture of their skin and releasing ink as an escape mechanism from their siphon, which is also used for jet propulsion and breathing.
Octopi have a small life span, living only 1-2 years. They manage to reproduce only once in their lifetime due to the shutting of the digestive glands after the completion of mating. As a result, the male octopus dies after mating and the females manage to take care of their thousands of eggs until the hatching, when they finally die of starvation.
Overfishing has affected octopi as well, including the illegal underwater fishing of juveniles (stealing them the chance to reproduce and help their population increase again), the use of illegal methods like chemicals (such as chlorine and blue vitriol) and trapping with plastic and ceramic containers, even concrete blocks.
Octopi are a vital link in the marine food chain. It has been proved that octopi, due to their complex nervous system and brains, they can feel pain just like all animals. So, images of people slamming alive octopi on the rocks with mania should shock us and be treated as torture.
An animal without a voice, does not mean it does not suffer from the cruelty it receives.
It is time that we see some mentalities we are used to from a different perspective and with empathy…
Naxos Wildlife Protection 