In Victoria, Octopus spp. are predominantly a byproduct species caught across various fisheries. Maori octopus are predominately caught in the Victorian Rock Lobster Fishery with some captured in shelter traps within the Ocean Fishery off Lakes Entrance. Pale octopus and gloomy octopus are caught within the Inshore Trawl Fishery, Ocean Fishery, Corner Inlet Fishery and the Port Phillip and Westernport Bay Fishery. Recently, the Ocean Fishery has seen a significant (tenfold) increase in octopus catches as part of a developing industry. However, octopus is not differentiated by species in catch and effort reporting in Victoria, making it difficult to apply stock assessment methods or catch rate indicators. This project will develop identification keys for the three main octopus species, collect relevant biological and population data, and develop biomass indicators and relevant fisheries management tools for the Victorian octopus fishery.