According to FAO/CECAC (FAO 2016) the population of Octopus vulgaris in Western Africa, based on political or geographic limits rather than on biological reasons, is divided into three main units: Dakhla (26°N-21 °N), Cape Blanc (21°N-16°N) and Senegal-Gambia (16°N-12 °N). According to FAO's last assessment, this stock identification has recently been confirmed using a vessel monitoring system (VMS) and genetic analysis (FAO 2020), but more information is needed. No new information was presented in this regard in the latest report from FAO (FAO 2023).