Giant octopus boom turns tides for UK fishing industry

It was first noticed by divers, exploring the waters off the Cornish coast. And then fishermen. The sea around Devon and Cornwall is awash with giant octopus – thousands of them, squeezing into crab pots and eating the crabs. 

For almost a year, fishing boats landing in ports such as Brixham in Devon have been bringing in vast numbers of octopus – a phenomenon that is reshaping the local fishing industry and captivating the wider community.

Dubbed an "invasion" by those working the waters, the octopus are far from their Mediterranean home. Crates piled high on the quayside tell the story: this is no minor curiosity, but a commercially significant windfall.

"At the moment we could probably see 20 tonnes a day," says Barry Young, Managing Director of Brixham Trawler Agents. "The biggest day we've had is probably around 36 tonnes. For some people, it's been an unexpected gold rush because of the money it's making."

With octopus fetching around $10,000 per tonne on international markets, many fishermen are happy to adapt. 

Challenges and opportunities

The influx has not been without its challenges though. Octopus have no spine, allowing them to squeeze into shellfish pots, where they feast on crab and lobster. 

For some crews, that has meant a sharp drop in traditional catches. Even so, the value of octopus has helped offset those losses, bringing much-needed relief to an industry under pressure.

The boom is being felt beyond the harbor. In Brixham, restaurants, fishmongers and social media feeds have become "octopus obsessed", with chefs showcasing new ways to prepare the cephalopods.

"The fishermen are making a fortune out of it at the moment," says local chef Robert Andre Simonetti. "They're not catching any crab, which is a little worrying, but all the pots are coming back full of octopus."

Naturalists say the event is rare, but not unprecedented. The last major influx of octopus to British shores was recorded in 1950. 

According to Matt Slater of the Cornwall Wildlife Trust, warmer winters and sea temperatures may play a role, but they are only part of a complex picture that includes food availability, ocean currents and weather patterns.

Whatever the cause, the sight of these intelligent, color-changing creatures has delighted scientists and the public alike. How long the octopus will remain is unknown, but while they do, the people of Brixham are determined to make the most of a once-in-a-generation arrival.