The volume of octopus landed at the south Brittany port of Lorient have exploded this year. It’s a very welcome bonus for some fishermen, but also presents questions of what this unheard-of abundance could mean for other species.
‘Since the start of this year we have seen 174 tonnes of octopus. By the same date last year, we had sold 11 tonnes,’ said Yonel Madec of the port management company Sem Lorient Keroman.
‘In a normal year, the volumes of octopus sold at the Lorient auction are around 15 tonnes. In 2021, they should therefore be multiplied by 12 or 13. I’ve never experienced this since I started fishing,’ said Éric Guygniec of fishing company APAK (Armement de la Pêche Artisanale de Keroman).
The good news is that the demand is strong, and enough to cope with this increase in octopus volumes – and prices are respectable.
‘The average price is around €6.40 with prices regularly exceeding €7,’ Yonel Madec said, adding that this is a species that is almost unknown to local consumers, and the demand is in Spain, where octopus has been scarce,
‘On one hand, it’s great to have a market and for octopus to be selling well,’ Éric Guygniec said.
‘On the other hand we can foresee significant repercussions. We know that when one species displaces another, there can be serious consequences.’
The abundant octopus in waters to the south of Brittany are already believed to have damaged stocks of scallop, lobster and crab, with the banks off Quiberon, Groix and as far as Glénans affected.
