Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - The Mexican National Institute of Fish (Inapesca) suggests that during the upcoming Lent period, octopus makes a nutritious alternative to the fish dishes consumed during the week before Easter, a traditional time when some Catholics abstain from eating meat.

According to Inapesca, octopus is low in fat, medicinal, and inexpensive enough to include in a daily diet. It also is known to contain vitamin A, calcium and proteins, and is low in calories.

Inapesca officials advise that "due to chemical substances in the fish, octopus also helps fight infections."

During the octopus fishing season (from August 1st through December 16th) in 2011, 20,000 tons of commercial octopus of the genus el maya and vulgaris were harvested. This quantity was enough to satisfy both the international commercial market and the local markets.

Inapesca is the department of the Mexican government responsible for biological studies of marine species to establish fishing seasons, moratoriums, quotas, and bases for sustainable production and dissemination of nutritional information.