🔗 Share this article 2025 Declared the 'Year of the Octopus' Off Britain's South Coast. Exceptionally high encounters of one of the world's most intelligent invertebrates this past summer have resulted in the declaration of 2025 as the octopus's year in a yearly report of Britain’s seas. A Perfect Storm for a Population Boom A mild winter coupled with an exceptionally warm spring prompted unprecedented numbers of Mediterranean octopuses to establish themselves along the southern coastline of England, spanning the Cornish and Devonian coasts. “The scale of the catch was of the order of about 13 times what we would typically see in the waters around Cornwall,” commented a marine conservation officer. “When we added up the numbers, approximately 233,000 octopuses were found in UK waters this year – which is a significant rise from the norm.” The common octopus is native to UK waters but usually so scarce it is seldom observed. A sudden increase is caused by the dual effect of gentle winter conditions and a warm breeding season. This perfect scenario meant a higher survival rate for young, maybe aided by significant populations of spider crabs seen in the area. An Uncommon Occurrence The last time, a population surge of this scale comparable was documented in 1950, with archival data indicating the previous major event occurred in 1900. The remarkable abundance of octopuses meant they could be easily spotted in coastal areas for the first time in recent history. Video footage show octopuses gathering in groups – unlike their typical solitary behavior – and “walking” along the seabed on the tips of their limbs. One individual was even filmed grabbing an underwater camera. “On my initial dive in that area this year I saw multiple octopuses,” they noted. “They are large specimens. We have two species in UK waters. One species is rather small, football-sized, but the *Octopus vulgaris* can be with a span of 1.5 meters.” Looking Ahead & Coastal Highlights If conditions remain mild this coming winter meant it was possible another surge next year, because in the past, under these conditions, populations have surged again for two years in a row. “But, it's improbable, looking at history, that it will go on for a long time,” they cautioned. “The ocean is full of surprises at the moment so it’s quite an unpredictable situation.” The annual review also celebrated additional positive marine news along the coast, including: A record number of grey seals seen in Cumbria. Exceptional populations of puffins on Skomer. The first recording of an unusual mollusc in a northern county, usually found in the south-west. A type of blenny found off the coast of Sussex for the inaugural time. A Note of Caution The year had its low points, however. “The period was framed by marine incidents,” stated an expert. “A major tanker collision in March and a spill of industrial pellets off the southern coast were serious issues. Staff and volunteers are putting in immense work to defend and heal our marine habitats.”
Exceptionally high encounters of one of the world's most intelligent invertebrates this past summer have resulted in the declaration of 2025 as the octopus's year in a yearly report of Britain’s seas. A Perfect Storm for a Population Boom A mild winter coupled with an exceptionally warm spring prompted unprecedented numbers of Mediterranean octopuses to establish themselves along the southern coastline of England, spanning the Cornish and Devonian coasts. “The scale of the catch was of the order of about 13 times what we would typically see in the waters around Cornwall,” commented a marine conservation officer. “When we added up the numbers, approximately 233,000 octopuses were found in UK waters this year – which is a significant rise from the norm.” The common octopus is native to UK waters but usually so scarce it is seldom observed. A sudden increase is caused by the dual effect of gentle winter conditions and a warm breeding season. This perfect scenario meant a higher survival rate for young, maybe aided by significant populations of spider crabs seen in the area. An Uncommon Occurrence The last time, a population surge of this scale comparable was documented in 1950, with archival data indicating the previous major event occurred in 1900. The remarkable abundance of octopuses meant they could be easily spotted in coastal areas for the first time in recent history. Video footage show octopuses gathering in groups – unlike their typical solitary behavior – and “walking” along the seabed on the tips of their limbs. One individual was even filmed grabbing an underwater camera. “On my initial dive in that area this year I saw multiple octopuses,” they noted. “They are large specimens. We have two species in UK waters. One species is rather small, football-sized, but the *Octopus vulgaris* can be with a span of 1.5 meters.” Looking Ahead & Coastal Highlights If conditions remain mild this coming winter meant it was possible another surge next year, because in the past, under these conditions, populations have surged again for two years in a row. “But, it's improbable, looking at history, that it will go on for a long time,” they cautioned. “The ocean is full of surprises at the moment so it’s quite an unpredictable situation.” The annual review also celebrated additional positive marine news along the coast, including: A record number of grey seals seen in Cumbria. Exceptional populations of puffins on Skomer. The first recording of an unusual mollusc in a northern county, usually found in the south-west. A type of blenny found off the coast of Sussex for the inaugural time. A Note of Caution The year had its low points, however. “The period was framed by marine incidents,” stated an expert. “A major tanker collision in March and a spill of industrial pellets off the southern coast were serious issues. Staff and volunteers are putting in immense work to defend and heal our marine habitats.”