Image: Fishing boats by John Mark Strange
The number of octopus are increasing in the south-west, and fishers are feeling the impact. Instead of hauling up pots with crabs, lobsters and other shellfish, fishers are finding octopus and empty shells instead.
Plymouth crab fisherman Brian Tapper described the situation: “The octopus are ruining us… [They are] coming into the crab pots by the side hatch and it’s like McDonald’s for them. They go through 50 pots and all you get in here are empty shells.”
Speaking to John Acres on BBC Radio Devon, Barry Young, of Brixham Trawler Agents, said the octopus were “decimating the crab fishery at the minute” descirbing it as an “invasion.”
“At this morning’s auction, we got 27 tonne of these Mediterranean octopus. We would normally be lucky to get 500kg,” he said.
Octopus edging north: scientists note significant shift
Dr Emma Sheehan, an associate professor of marine ecology at the University of Plymouth, believes it is an influx of the common octopus, or octopus vulgaris, “one of the species most likely to be seen by divers and snorkellers around the UK.
Carli Cocciardi, representing the Devon Wildlife Trust, explained that “the south-west of England is really the northern edge of the common octopus’s range, so sightings here are significant.”
Escape holes offer octopus an easy meal
A local bylaw means that lobster pots must have ‘escape holes’ to allow juvenile shellfish out. However, this also provides octopus with easier access to a pot that is often filled with their prey, such as crabs and lobsters. Therefore, when fishers haul their pots in, they are increasingly finding more octopus.
Image: Lobster pots by Drew Collins
Uncertainty or opportunity?
“Long term, it could be devastating for the shellfish industry in the UK if these octopus stay,” says Barry Young. “Unless we see a reduction in these octopus, we won’t see any shellfish.” This could also result in a potential shortage of of crabs, scallops and lobsters in restaurants and fishmongers.
However, the BBC reports that some fishers are welcoming the rise in octopus numbers, noting that the species commands a higher price in European markets and offers a potential financial boost. Barry Young said they are working to develop the best possible market for octopus.
The MMO recently met with fisheries managers and scientists to review the recent bloom, exploring the challenges and opportunities it presents, and to consider any necessary next steps. The MMO stated that they will follow up with industry representatives for further discussions and will provide ongoing updates on efforts to better understand the fishery and its effects on fish stocks.