2025 Declared the 'Year of the Octopus' Off England's South Coast.
Unprecedented sightings of one of the world's most intelligent invertebrates over the summer months have prompted the naming of 2025 as the year for octopuses in an annual review of Britain’s seas.
Ideal Conditions Leading to an Explosion
A mild winter coupled with an exceptionally warm spring triggered unprecedented numbers of Mediterranean octopuses to settle along the southern coastline of England, from Penzance in Cornwall to south Devon.
“The reported landings was approximately 13 times what we would normally expect in this region,” stated an ocean conservation expert. “Calculating the figures, nearly a quarter of a million octopuses were found in UK waters this year – representing a massive jump from the norm.”
*Octopus vulgaris* is native to these waters but usually so scarce it is seldom observed. A sudden increase is the result of the dual effect of a mild winter and a warm breeding season. This perfect scenario meant increased juvenile survival, possibly in part fuelled by large numbers of spider crabs noted in recent years.
An Uncommon Occurrence
The last time, such an octopus proliferation this significant was observed in the 1950s, with historical records indicating the one before that was in the turn of the 20th century.
The remarkable abundance of octopuses meant they could be frequently seen in shallow waters for the first time in recent history. Underwater recordings show octopuses gathering in groups – contrary to their normally lone nature – and “walking” along the ocean floor on the tips of their limbs. One creature was even filmed grabbing a diver's camera.
“During a first dive off the Lizard peninsula this year I saw five of these creatures,” the officer added. “They are sizeable. We have two species in UK waters. The curled octopus is quite small, football-sized, but the *Octopus vulgaris* can be with a span of 1.5 meters.”
Future Prospects and Other Surprises
Another mild winter this coming winter suggests the potential a repeat event in 2026, because in the past, in similar situations, 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 said. “Marine life is unpredictable these days so it’s hard to forecast.”
The annual review also highlighted additional positive marine news across British shores, including:
- Highest-ever counts of gray seals seen in Cumbria.
- Exceptional populations of the iconic seabirds on Skomer.
- The first recording of a rare sea slug in Yorkshire, usually found in the south-west.
- A type of blenny spotted off the coast of a southern county for the first time.
Not All Positive News
Not everything was good news, however. “The calendar year was marked by marine incidents,” said a head of marine conservation. “A major tanker collision in the North Sea and a spill of tonnes of plastic biobeads off the Sussex coast highlighted ongoing threats. Dedicated individuals are putting in immense work to defend and heal our marine habitats.”
