Octopus fisherman in the port of Viavélez, Asturias. © Álvaro Fuente / MSC

The octopus of Asturias. A small fishery doing great things (video)

Ten years ago, back in 2010, the Octopus fishery in western Asturias was very different than it is now. Since the beginning of the century there were measures to control overfishing, however, at that time there was still no in-depth knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of the activity and the image of a low-impact artisanal fishery was not being used commercially. In addition, marketing was not very diversified and practically all the octopus landed was sold to a single buyer. At that time, due in part to this inefficient marketing, prices were highly variable and the influence of fishermen in decision-making was very limited.

At the beginning of this last decade, octopus fishermen from four ports in the area: Puerto de Vega, Ortiguera, Viavélez and Tapia de Casariego began to realize that if they wanted a decent future for themselves and their descendants they had to bet on sustainability. as a differentiating strategy compared to other fisheries and as a method to guarantee their professional activity. That is why, supported by the Local Fisheries Action Group (FLAG) of Navia-Porcia, they began to be interested in the MSC sustainable fishing certification. They hoped that by certifying their fishery against such an internationally recognized standard, part of their problems could be solved.

Artisanal octopus fishing boat of the ARPESOS association starting its work day (Photo: MSC video)

In September 2013 they started a pre-assessment, something like a confidential diagnosis to see if their fishery would pass a full MSC assessment and therefore could be certified. The result of this analysis was the first reality bath. Although they thought their fishery was totally sustainable, the diagnosis showed that there were certain aspects that needed improvement. From that moment they began to work on the improvements that had emerged in the pre-evaluation and at the end of 2014 they began the full evaluation.

This process lasted a little over a year and highlighted that the octopus stock in Asturias was in good condition, that this type of fishing had a low impact on other aquatic organisms and that it was very respectful of protected species, with funds marine and the ecosystem. It was found that there were sufficient management measures in line with long-term sustainability. However, some weaknesses also appeared during the process: it became clear that more research was needed and catch control rules were designed that would allow the fleet's quotas to be organized based on the scientific results of octopus abundance. It came to light that there was not enough scientific knowledge, neither in Spain nor in the rest of the world, to adequately assess the stocks of short-lived species such as octopus. Challenges were identified and the involvement of the Asturian regional administration, on which this fishery depends, was key: they were required to approve explicit sustainability objectives in their legislation; that the decision-making processes were more transparent and strengthen the control and fight against illegal fishing in the area.

Captura de pulpo con nasas en forma manual (Foto: video MSC)

In February 2016, the audit process ends and this fishery becomes the first in the world to get certified for Octopus fishing with MSC. Of course, with a backpack on your back that will require constant improvements over the next five years.

In recent years, the fishery has carried out a series of very significant improvements, led by the Principality's Fisheries Experimentation Center. Observers were sent on board to solve the lack of existing information and confirm that the interactions of the pots with species other than octopus were minimal. Satellite positioning systems were installed in the vessels to obtain maps and the most frequented fishing areas and to better determine the distribution of the species and its management. The regulations of the Government of Asturias were updated expressly including long-term sustainable management as one of its objectives for this fishery. Vessel compliance was improved, and practices that were common before, such as carrying a greater number of pots than allowed, are now practically non-existent in these four certified ports. A major effort has been carried out with a spectacular result in research on the evaluation of the octopus populations of Asturias, generating new mathematical models and new reference points, pioneers in the world, which allow to know with much more reliability the abundance of the species.

The MSC blue seal gives the Asturian octopus the privilege of being the only octopus in the world with this certification (Photo: MSC video)

Since the fishery was certified in 2016, marketing and economic performance have improved significantly. The guilds involved have developed new forms of sale with biweekly or longer-term auctions, adapted to their needs, instead of the daily bids of yesteryear. They have also found new buyers and have accessed, thanks to the certification, new international markets where they did not reach before. They now have better control of supply which results in greater price stability and higher profits. Scientific studies have shown that they are selling between 14% and 25% better than other non-certified ports in the area, and that they have managed to increase their first-sale prices from the moment of their certification [1]. They have also improved their profit since they are selling in their markets of origin and do not have to move the product to other markets with the consequent savings that this implies. By selling in their ports they improve the profitability of the fish market, which ultimately has a positive impact on the local community. All this means that they have gained in quality of life and have a better work-life balance.

Governance has been another area where significant progress has been made in recent years. Fleets now have more influence in decision-making. An "octopus monitoring commission" has been formalized in which scientists, NGOs, the Government of the Principality and fishermen sit at the same table to make decisions that affect the sector. Fishermen are empowered and cohesion between them has increased. For the first time the fishermen's guilds work together: in 2017 the ARPESOS association was created, representing the shipowners of the pulper boats in the 4 western ports. Furthermore, as a result of the experience and the new form of work generated during the certification process, REDEPESCA was created, an instrument for the exchange and transfer of information between the fishing sector, the scientific community and the Asturian administration.

Finally, the image of the fishery has improved significantly. The media have echoed this initiative and his work has appeared in press releases, videos and reports. The fishermen of Western Asturias feel and are now proud of their way of fishing and the population and the local administration have given them positive recognition. Somehow they have been granted a "social license" based on the credibility and trust that their activity now generates in the community.

However, there are still challenges ahead. Despite the fact that ships from other ports have been incorporated into the certification, it still remains to convince the rest to join this way of working; further consolidate new markets and product marketing; design definitive catch control rules and help transfer these magnificent results to other regions of our coast.

From MSC and on this International Octopus Day our most sincere appreciation to this small group of people from the sea who have achieved so many extraordinary things.

Source: MSC

[1] Fernandez et al. 2020, Evidence of price premium for MSC-certified products at fishers ’level: The case of the artisanal fleet of common octopus from Asturias (Spain)

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