Top Horned Octopus Fishing Countries

The horned octopus (Eledone cirrhosa), also known as the curled octopus, is a cephalopod species commonly found in the northeast Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Characterized by a single row of suckers on each arm and distinctive horn-like projections above its eyes, this octopus is valued both for its culinary uses and as bait in fisheries. The primary countries engaged in horned octopus fishing are Spain, Portugal, Italy, and the United Kingdom, with Spain and Portugal leading in commercial landings due to the species’ abundance along their Atlantic coasts. The fishing industry for the horned octopus is largely artisanal, relying on pots, traps, and small-scale trawling, and the catch is mostly consumed locally or within the Mediterranean region, where it is a popular ingredient in traditional dishes. Sustainable management is increasingly important in these countries to ensure healthy populations and continued economic benefit from this unique cephalopod.

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