Antarctic octopuses, primarily species like *Pareledone charcoti* and *Adelieledone polymorpha*, are unique cephalopods adapted to the frigid Southern Ocean. These octopuses are not targeted by large-scale commercial fisheries due to their relatively low abundance, slow growth rates, and the challenging, regulated environment of Antarctic waters. However, some incidental catch occurs as bycatch in the toothfish (notably Patagonian and Antarctic toothfish) fisheries, which are managed under the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR). The main countries involved in Antarctic fisheries, and thus most likely to interact with Antarctic octopus species, include Chile, Argentina, New Zealand, Australia, South Korea, and Spain. These countries operate under strict international regulations to protect vulnerable Antarctic ecosystems, making the direct commercial harvest of Antarctic octopuses minimal and highly controlled.
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Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.