PRELIMINARY EVALUATION OF SEPIA OFFICINALIS (LINNAEUS, 1758) SPAWNING ON OCTOPUS TRAPS IN SARDINIA

VALUTAZIONE PRELIMINARE SULLA DEPOSIZIONE DI SEPIA OFFICINALIS (LINNAEUS, 1758) IN NASSE PER POLPI

Abstract

This study monitored 150 octopus traps between February and July 2023 in south-western Sardinia to assess the presence, development, and hatching success of Sepia officinalis eggs. Egg clutches attached to traps were placed in stainless steel cages at sea to protect and monitor their development. Eggs were found from February to May, peaking in March and April. About 95% of firmly attached eggs successfully developed and hatched after 28–82 days, while detached eggs failed to complete development. Egg and paralarvae sizes (0.82 ± 0.15 cm and 1.22 ± 0.10 cm) matched previous reports. The findings confirm that octopus traps serve as effective spawning substrates but also highlight the risk of egg loss due to fishing and cleaning practices. No formal protection measures exist in Sardinia, where egg conservation depends on fishers’ voluntary actions. The study emphasizes the need for targeted conservation to support fisheries and protect marine biodiversity.