Abstract— Artisanal octopus fisheries constitute a vital component of coastal economies worldwide, employing millions of fishers and providing essential protein sources across diverse communities, contributing significantly to food security in developing coastal nations. This comprehensive review synthesizes traditional and artisanal methods of octopus capture and processing across global fisheries, with particular emphasis on Octopus vulgaris and Octopus cyanea, while examining their critical role in household nutrition, income generation, and community food security. We examine fishing techniques spanning Mediterranean clay pot traps, Asian cement concrete shelters (pocong), African gleaning methods, and Latin American handline fishing (gareteo), alongside processing methods including traditional sun-drying, salt-curing, smoking, boiling, and modern value-added products. Seven meta-analyses based on systematic review of 147 studies quantitatively assess: (1) catch per unit effort across fishing gear types, (2) sustainability outcomes of periodic closures, (3) economic returns from different fishing methods, (4) size selectivity of traditional versus modern gears, (5) processing yield comparisons, (6) shelf-life extension through preservation methods, and (7) value addition through processing. Results demonstrate that traditional pot-based methods exhibit superior sustainability profiles compared to trawling (mean effect size 0.35, 95% CI 0.25-0.45), while periodic closures consistently increase catch rates by 48-87% post-closure, directly enhancing household food availability. Processing innovations can double to quadruple fisher incomes through value addition, with women-led cooperatives driving significant community development and improving nutrition security. Octopus provides high-quality protein (11-13% wet weight), essential amino acids, omega-3 fatty acids, and micronutrients including iron, zinc, and vitamin B12, making it a crucial component of coastal food systems. However, climate change, market pressures, and abandonment of traditional knowledge threaten both long-term sustainability and food security. Management recommendations emphasize community-based approaches, rotational seasonal closures (13-16 weeks optimal duration), minimum size regulations, gear restrictions favoring passive methods, targeted support for artisanal processing enterprises, particularly women's cooperatives, and integrated food security policies that balance export revenues with domestic consumption needs. Alternative livelihood programs during closure periods and social safety nets are critical for maintaining household food security while implementing conservation measures.
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