Octopus fishermen play a crucial role in protecting the largest coral reef in Portugal – KNfins

Octopus fishermen play a crucial role in protecting the largest coral reef in Portugal

In winter, the village stands almost deserted. Its wide sandy beach remains empty, the quiet cobblestone streets devoid of visitors, and the restaurants primarily serve the local residents.

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However, with the arrival of summer, the scene changes dramatically. The sea fills with boats manned by fishermen and tour operators in search of one of the region’s most sought-after delicacies: octopus.

Although sardines and imported cod are traditionally associated with Portugal, the country consumes about 15,000 tons of octopus annually—more than any other European country.

Commercial fishing and tourism are putting pressure on the reefs. Although the octopus trade is not officially threatened, there are concerns that stocks could decline, similar to what has happened with sardines and tuna over the past two decades.

Throughout the Algarve region, fishermen are noticing the changes. Waters that were once rich in marine life are now showing fewer and fewer animals.

Worried about their livelihoods and traditional way of life, the fishermen are taking measures to protect their resources for the future.

“When I was 10 years old, I would go into the water with a spear gun and shorts and could easily find seafood to eat: crabs, eels, morays—we had everything here,” recalls Miguel Rodrigues, the former president of the fishing association in Armação de Pêra.

Now, at 45, those days are a distant memory. Even with more advanced traps and motorboats, fishermen are catching less octopus today, Rodrigues says.

Unlike other marine species like sardines, there are no conclusive data in Portugal indicating a decline in octopus stocks. This is partly due to the lack of specific regulations for octopus within EU quotas, making population monitoring challenging.

Between 1980 and 2014, octopus fishing increased almost twofold worldwide. Although the common octopus is currently not considered an endangered species, there are growing concerns about its future availability due to rising demand for seafood.

Portugal has already implemented a number of regulations to reduce octopus fishing and mitigate environmental impacts, such as the loss of fishing gear and high fuel emissions from boats.

Looking ahead, there are plans to establish the world’s first commercial octopus farm in the Canary Islands, Spain. However, raising octopuses in captivity, while potentially reducing pressure on wild populations, has also raised concerns among scientists and animal welfare activists.

In the Algarve, fishermen like Rodrigues are leading initiatives to establish a new model for empowering communities that depend on these marine species, with the goal of protecting them. Two projects—a new Marine Protected Area (MPA) and a co-management committee—give fishermen equal say in decisions about the future of marine resources.

The bay of Armação de Pêra is home to Portugal’s largest rock reef, an important refuge for about 70% of the region’s native species, including protected species like seahorses and groupers. However, the rich biodiversity of the reef and the ancient caves have attracted both coastal tourism and commercial fishing.

Approximately 89 organizations have collaborated to create the Marine Natural Park of the Algarve Reef – Pedra do Valado. This involved local governments, scientists, fishing associations, and entities from the tourism and hospitality sector. The park protects about 156 km² of ocean, with a 20 km long fishing ban area, providing an opportunity for wildlife regeneration.

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), also known as ocean sanctuaries, marine parks, or exclusion zones, are specific marine areas designated to protect habitats and species. While they are crucial for global marine conservation efforts, they currently cover less than 10% of the ocean area. Establishing a safety zone to protect marine sections can often trigger conflicts with local fishermen, and their implementation can be contentious.

An example of this is Sesimbra, a coastal town south of Lisbon, where an MPA was established in 1998. The Marine Park Luiz Saldanha (PMLS) was centrally created by the government without proper involvement of local fishermen. This led to resentment and alienation among the fishermen, who felt excluded from the decision-making process.

On the other hand, MPAs that have been created in collaboration with local communities are thriving in various countries from Kenya to the United States. A study analyzing 27 cases of MPAs worldwide concluded that stakeholder involvement is the critical factor for the success of these protected areas, while lack of participation is the main reason for their failure.

In the Lagos marina in the Algarve, a meeting is taking place at Docapesca. Outside, street cats rummage through used pots for catching octopus in hopes of leftovers. Inside, more than a dozen fishermen gather with a marine biologist to discuss the possibility of forming a co-management committee. Although these fishermen are not part of the nearby MPA, the concept of co-management reflects similar values: enabling fishermen to have an equal role in resource management.

These initiatives highlight the complexity and importance of involving local communities in the sustainable management of marine resources, aligning environmental protection with the economic needs of communities dependent on fishing.

Portugal has already implemented strict regulations to prevent overfishing of octopus. By law, fishermen cannot catch the species on weekends and must return any that weigh less than 750 grams to the sea.

André Dias, a local fisherman, took over his father’s octopus fishing boats. He supports the co-management committee, hoping that crucial issues like octopus farming will be discussed collectively.

He believes that various community initiatives in the Algarve—from Marine Protected Areas to co-management committees—can empower fishermen.

During the establishment process of the MPA, some researchers participated in “shared visions,” envisioning different scenarios for protecting the reef. This participatory process was supported by the Oceanário de Lisboa, an international organization for marine ecosystem conservation.

Although the implementation of the MPAs is still pending, Rodrigues sees protection as a sign of hope. He wishes for there to be life in the sea for future generations of fishermen, including his daughter.

Picture of Ella Bailey
Ella Bailey

an editor at KNfins since 2024.

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