Overview

• Australian marine scientists have created the world's first practical guide to accurately age octopuses, a critical tool for sustainable fisheries management.
• The guide utilizes growth rings on octopuses' beaks and stylets to determine their age, aiding in the assessment of octopus populations.
• This new method is vital for preventing overfishing and ensuring octopuses reach breeding maturity before being caught.
• The research, published in the Marine and Freshwater Research Journal, was led by the University of South Australia with collaboration from the NSW Department of Primary Industries.
• An estimated 400,000 octopuses are harvested annually from around 90 countries, highlighting the need for effective management to prevent species decline.