Top Horned And Musky Octopuses Fishing Countries

Horned and musky octopuses, such as the horned octopus (Eledone cirrhosa) and the musky octopus (Eledone moschata), are cephalopod species primarily found in the northeast Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea. These octopuses are characterized by their small to medium size, single row of suckers, and distinctive appearance—horned octopus with small projections over the eyes, and musky octopus noted for its musky odor. The main fishing countries targeting these species are Italy, Spain, Greece, Portugal, and Turkey, where they are caught using pots, traps, and trawl nets. The octopus fishery is an important part of the Mediterranean and eastern Atlantic coastal economies, with these countries exporting both fresh and processed octopus to international markets, especially in Europe and Asia. Sustainable management practices are increasingly emphasized due to concerns over local population declines from overfishing.

Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.