Prove di utilizzo di vasi biodegradabili come tane artificiali per il polpo (Octopus vulgaris Cuvier, 1797) in Mar Ligure

Abstract

Following the 3D printing of PLA (bioplastic) pots, we monitored their effectiveness on 172 elements immersed in the Ligurian Sea in the period 2019-2020. It emerged that Octopus vulgaris (Cephalopoda: Octopoda) chose them as a refuge (18.6% of the jars had stones and shells), but only in 2 pots (1.2%) were they found inside the specimens. These preliminary results suggest the use of artificial burrows in fisheries management to protect octopus stocks. The use of PLA pots could be especially suitable to support Blue Economy initiatives such as fishing tourism within MPAs, while at the moment the replacement of the usual gear seems unlikely.