🔗 Share this article 2025 Proclaimed the 'Year of the Octopus' Along England's South Coast. Unprecedented sightings of one of the world's most intelligent invertebrates over the summer months have resulted in the designation of 2025 as the octopus's year in an annual review of the nation's marine environment. A Perfect Storm Leading to an Explosion A mild winter and then a remarkably hot spring triggered unprecedented numbers of common octopuses (*Octopus vulgaris*) to settle along England’s south coast, across the southwestern peninsula. “The scale of the catch was approximately thirteen times what we would typically see in this region,” commented an ocean conservation expert. “Calculating the figures, around 233 thousand octopuses were found in these waters this year – that’s a huge increase from the norm.” The Mediterranean octopus is found in UK waters but usually so scarce it is infrequently encountered. A sudden increase is the result of the dual effect of gentle winter conditions 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. A Rare Phenomenon The last time, an octopus bloom comparable was recorded in 1950, with historical records indicating the previous major event happened in the turn of the 20th century. The huge numbers of octopuses meant they could be easily spotted in coastal areas for the first time in recent history. Underwater recordings show octopuses congregating together – they are usually solitary – and ambulating along the ocean floor on the tips of their limbs. One creature was even recorded reaching for an underwater camera. “The first time I dived off the Lizard peninsula this year I saw multiple octopuses,” they noted. “And these are big. We have two species in the region. The curled octopus is quite small, football-sized, but these newcomers can be reaching impressive sizes.” Future Prospects and Other Surprises If conditions remain mild going into 2026 meant it was possible a repeat event next year, because in the past, in similar situations, the blooms have repeated for two years in a row. “However, it is unlikely, from previous blooms, that it will persist indefinitely,” they cautioned. “Marine life is unpredictable currently so it’s quite an unpredictable situation.” The assessment also celebrated further encouraging coastal sightings along the coast, including: Unprecedented numbers of gray seals recorded in one northern region. Peak numbers of the iconic seabirds on an island off Wales. A first-ever sighting of the *Capellinia fustifera* nudibranch in a northern county, normally residing farther south. A type of blenny found off the coast of Sussex for the first occasion. Environmental Concerns Not everything was good news, however. “The period was framed by environmental disasters,” stated an expert. “A major tanker collision in March and an accidental discharge of industrial pellets off the southern coast served as stark reminders. Conservation teams are working tirelessly to protect and restore our coasts.”
Unprecedented sightings of one of the world's most intelligent invertebrates over the summer months have resulted in the designation of 2025 as the octopus's year in an annual review of the nation's marine environment. A Perfect Storm Leading to an Explosion A mild winter and then a remarkably hot spring triggered unprecedented numbers of common octopuses (*Octopus vulgaris*) to settle along England’s south coast, across the southwestern peninsula. “The scale of the catch was approximately thirteen times what we would typically see in this region,” commented an ocean conservation expert. “Calculating the figures, around 233 thousand octopuses were found in these waters this year – that’s a huge increase from the norm.” The Mediterranean octopus is found in UK waters but usually so scarce it is infrequently encountered. A sudden increase is the result of the dual effect of gentle winter conditions 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. A Rare Phenomenon The last time, an octopus bloom comparable was recorded in 1950, with historical records indicating the previous major event happened in the turn of the 20th century. The huge numbers of octopuses meant they could be easily spotted in coastal areas for the first time in recent history. Underwater recordings show octopuses congregating together – they are usually solitary – and ambulating along the ocean floor on the tips of their limbs. One creature was even recorded reaching for an underwater camera. “The first time I dived off the Lizard peninsula this year I saw multiple octopuses,” they noted. “And these are big. We have two species in the region. The curled octopus is quite small, football-sized, but these newcomers can be reaching impressive sizes.” Future Prospects and Other Surprises If conditions remain mild going into 2026 meant it was possible a repeat event next year, because in the past, in similar situations, the blooms have repeated for two years in a row. “However, it is unlikely, from previous blooms, that it will persist indefinitely,” they cautioned. “Marine life is unpredictable currently so it’s quite an unpredictable situation.” The assessment also celebrated further encouraging coastal sightings along the coast, including: Unprecedented numbers of gray seals recorded in one northern region. Peak numbers of the iconic seabirds on an island off Wales. A first-ever sighting of the *Capellinia fustifera* nudibranch in a northern county, normally residing farther south. A type of blenny found off the coast of Sussex for the first occasion. Environmental Concerns Not everything was good news, however. “The period was framed by environmental disasters,” stated an expert. “A major tanker collision in March and an accidental discharge of industrial pellets off the southern coast served as stark reminders. Conservation teams are working tirelessly to protect and restore our coasts.”