The Lilliput Longarm Octopus (*Octopus defilippi*) is a small, elusive cephalopod found in the shallow coastal waters of the eastern Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Characterized by its slender, elongated arms and modest size, this octopus species is not a major target of large-scale commercial fisheries but is occasionally caught as bycatch or in small artisanal fisheries. The primary countries involved in harvesting the Lilliput Longarm Octopus are Italy, Spain, Greece, and Turkey—nations with strong traditions of Mediterranean seafood cuisine and small-scale octopus fishing. In these countries, the species is typically caught using traps, pots, or hand-jigs, and is valued locally for its tender texture and delicate flavor, often featured in regional dishes. While not as economically significant as larger octopus species, the Lilliput Longarm Octopus contributes to the diversity of marine products landed by Mediterranean fisheries.
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Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.