SHELLFISH catch in Jersey and Guernsey is being hampered by increasing numbers of octopuses in local waters which are doing “a lot of damage”, according to a fishing merchant.
Aqua-Mar Fisheries manager Nathalie Porritt said she had recently given a presentation to a marine resources panel on the issue.
She explained that the rise in numbers of octopuses started to become noticeable last year.
“They are doing a lot of damage,” she continued, noting that lobsters, crabs and scallops were among the catch being affected as a result.
“We were hoping that the cold weather might deter them [the octopuses] back to warmer climates, but it hasn’t yet.
“Guernsey is a lot worse-off than we are, but they are here.”
Acknowledging that the industry was “already on its knees”, Ms Porritt added that the impact on shellfish catch was “definitely not helping”.
She also cited instances of octopuses going into lobster and crab pots to feed and becoming trapped.
“Now it’s at the stage where they are coming closer – nobody is specifically targeting them but they are being caught as a by-catch.”
