The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has published the findings of research that examined the potential feasibility of a targeted octopus fishery in southwest England based on stakeholder observations of generally increasing abundance of octopus and subsequent increase in bycatches.

The project investigated trends in octopus abundance spatially and temporally, as well as exploring opportunities and threats emerging from the increased octopus numbers, ethical concerns around a fishery and supply chain feasibility and potential for growth.

National Museums Northern Ireland and its licensors

Results

Results Between 2017 and end of 2024, the year with the highest volume of octopus landings was 2019 with 325 tonnes. Trawlers were responsible for 97% of these landings by weight, although potters have started landing higher amounts since 2022. Octopus landings show a seasonal pattern, with peak landings by trawlers between November and January and peak landings by potters in May and June. Since most trawlers fish offshore, this indicates that octopus is more abundant in deeper waters during winter. The highest concentrations of catch have been recorded around Brixham and the Lizard.

Stakeholders’ greatest concern regarding octopus is related to the impact on shellfish stocks, which are the staple year-round fishery. Other ‘high importance’ ranked issues were market price, availability of markets and stock abundance. Stakeholders expressed concern over the unpredictable nature of octopus numbers which fluctuate spatially and temporally, meaning that they are unsure whether octopus would be available consistently enough in large enough quantities to support a targeted fishery.

Conclusions and recommendations

• Differentiation between the two prevalent octopus species should be promoted in landings data to improve understanding of species composition.
• Real-time data collection and long-term monitoring should be prioritised to understand octopus abundance and distribution in the English Channel in time and space and the factors that influence it. Abundance has not been consistent enough to support a targeted fishery currently.
• Sentience guidelines should be established for the supply chain to address concerns over humane slaughter methods and ethical live transport of octopus to improve their marketability.
• Case studies highlight two different frameworks to establish a potential fishery in the future.
• Collaboration between the fishing industry, academia and government should be encouraged, which would allow different perspectives to be integrated into the management framework.
• Clear objectives and targets for a potential fishery should be set, which would inform decisions on the type of fisheries management measures that are suitable.

MMO comments

In collaboration with Cornish Fish Producers Organisation MMO have produced octopus ID cards for the fishing industry and included species codes on the catch recording application to support enhanced data collection. Primary barriers to establishing a fishery appear to be variability in octopus abundance year to year and thus monitoring long term population trends and exploring how highly variable fisheries can be undertaken could be next steps. The findings of the report can inform MMO’s response to this recent surge in octopus abundance. Early season octopus trawl catch appears predictive of later pot fisheries potential.

Octopus bloom in southwest England

This project was completed prior to recognising an octopus bloom in the southwest in March 2025, therefore some findings may not reflect the most recent perspectives of stakeholders or data. The octopus influx created uncertainty and opportunity for fishers in southwest England, with the bloom described as an ‘invasion’. However, the BBC reported 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.

Octopus sentience

Octopuses, crabs and lobsters received greater welfare protection in UK law following an LSE report which demonstrated that there is strong scientific evidence that these animals have the capacity to experience pain, distress or harm.

In 2022 the UK government extended the scope of the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill to all decapod crustaceans and cephalopod molluscs.